Cold-stunned sea turtles being treated at Volusia County rehabilitation facility
PONCE INLET, Fla. - The Florida Freeze isn't just affecting the humans who live in the Sunshine State, but the wildlife is also feeling the impact.
Rehab centers critical to protecting endangered species
What we know:
Rehabilitation centers across Florida, including The Marine Science Center in Volusia County, are overwhelmed with cold-stunned sea turtles. These turtles are arriving underweight, lethargic, and cold due to temperature drops, which can lead to cold stress or cold stun.
Cold-stunned sea turtles are a seasonal issue in Florida, with the peak intake period from January to April. This phenomenon occurs when water temperatures drop significantly, affecting the turtles' ability to regulate their body temperature.
What we don't know:
It’s unclear why the cold-stunned season started earlier this year. While rehabilitation is underway, it remains uncertain whether the number of turtles this year will exceed projections, though the facility expects to surpass last year's intake total.
What they're saying:
Allie Bernstein, Turtle Rehab Manager, emphasized the importance of the collective effort required to care for the turtles.
"When that temperature drops, they can get cold stressed or cold stunned," she explained.
As FOX 35’s Hannah Mackenzie was at the facility, another sea turtle was brought in, raising their total number of intakes.
More often than not, a cold-stunned turtle has other medical issues, said Bernstein. Orangina, one of dozens of green sea turtles at the facility, is one of them.
"We took an X-ray and saw that there was a hook in her esophagus," said Bernstein. "We were able to remove that surgically, and it all went well."
Almost at capacity, Bernstein said they work with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other sea turtle rehabs to facilitate the care and transport of turtles in order to have room to save as many as possible.
"It can take from several weeks to several months to rehabilitate a sea turtle," Bernstein said. "They’re rehabilitating in warmer water here, but as they get closer to release, we will drop their pool temperatures to closer match the ocean temperatures, so it’s not such a shock when they go back out there."
Local perspective:
The Marine Science Center's Turtle Rehab Facility is working at near capacity, relying on partnerships with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other sea turtle rehabilitation centers to manage the influx. Despite being stretched thin, the team is focused on providing care for as many turtles as possible.
By the numbers:
The facility is already treating 27 sea turtles in 2025, with rehabilitation often taking several weeks to months. They expect to surpass last year's intake total of 238 sea turtles.
What's next:
When the turtles are ready for release, they are rehabilitated in water temperatures gradually adjusted to match the ocean environment. When release day does come, each sea turtle is tagged. Smaller turtles get a device similar to the microchips implanted in dogs and cats, Bernstein said. Sea turtles larger than 40 centimeters in size get flipper tags.
Why you should care:
The cold-stunned sea turtles face a significant threat to their survival, and the rehab centers play a critical role in protecting this endangered species. This surge in cases highlights the broader environmental issue impacting local wildlife.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Marine Science Center’s Turtle Rehab Facility and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).