Endangered green sea turtles off the coast of North Carolina have recently recovered at the Greensboro Science Center from a sudden temp drop in the ocean. These turtles suffered from a condition referred to as becoming "cold stunned," where the temperature becomes too cold before they are able to migrate to a warmer area in the ocean. Upon their internal freeze, they begin to float with the current as opposed to swimming, forcing them up onto the shore to become prey. Approximately 600 of these creatures arrived on the shore this January; the ones that have been rescued plan to be release back into the wild when they regain their strength. Many other turtles have gone through the rehabilitation process and have been released, which is all dependent on the specific severity of each situation, their health, and the weather. Lindsey Zarecky, VP of conservation and research at the science center, stated that "Putting them back in cold water kind of defeats the purpose. They were found in 50-degree water, and 70 degrees is probably realistically comfortable for them." Ultimately, the release of these creatures is up to the science center's faith in the turtles' health, and the Greensboro Science Center hopes to help out with situations like this in the future.
http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/cold-stunned-turtles-recuperate-at-greensboro-science-center/article_e8c13465-92a6-5131-bf5e-3cc2d20c493d.html
http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/cold-stunned-turtles-recuperate-at-greensboro-science-center/article_e8c13465-92a6-5131-bf5e-3cc2d20c493d.html