Clearwater Marine Aquarium to release 10 cold-stunned turtles

CLEARWATER, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - The Clearwater Marine Aquarium says that 10 or 12 critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles were transported to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium last month.

The aquarium is planning to release these turtles on Tuesday, January 16th.

On December 8th, 2017, the New England Aquarium facility transported 46 cold-stunned sea turtles to Tampa, Florida to be rehabilitated at four facilities. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium received 12 of the turtles, all juvenile. They were severely affected by the cold-water temperatures in New England.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has cleared 10 of the 12 turtles to be released. The other two will continue rehabilitation at Clearwater Marine Aquarium with the goal of being released soon.

The aquarium calls the 10 turtles "Santa and his reindeer."