Without their contributions and expertise, many cold stunned sea turtles would not survive.Ĭold stunned sea turtles are not held in captivity any longer than necessary. These partners have the permits and facilities needed to care for and rehabilitate sea turtles. Sea turtles rescued during cold stunning events are taken to our Turtle Laboratory for documentation and are then transported to specially designated, temporary holding facilities operated by partner organizations. Padre Island National Seashore does not have the facilities needed to house and care for live stranded sea turtles. Other federal agencies, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations are essential partners who play major roles in this effort every year. Our staff and volunteers take a leading role in proactively searching for and rescuing cold stunned sea turtles by patrolling the Laguna Madre on foot and by boat. As a result, sea turtles swimming in those waters may not have enough time to navigate out of Laguna Madre and into the deeper, warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico before becoming cold stunned. The shallow water here can change temperature rapidly, especially when a strong cold front passes through the area. Most of the cold stunned sea turtles that the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery rescues are found in inshore waters and shorelines along the bays and inlets of the Laguna Madre, which borders the park to the west. If not rescued quickly, these defenseless animals often die of shock, predation, or trauma due to boat strike. They float up to the surface and become vulnerable to boat strikes or wash ashore and become stranded. If water temperatures drop below approximately 50☏ (10☌), sea turtles become lethargic and are unable to swim. Like all reptiles, sea turtles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and cannot regulate their body temperature. A cold stunned sea turtle is one that has become hypothermic due to severe cold weather.
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