Hundreds of 'cold-stunned' turtles rescued on Cape Cod
(Photo courtesy: Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary)
Hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles are turning up in the waters off of Cape Cod. Cold weather since late October have brought a steady stream of dozens of turtles a day.
Close to 600 cold-stunned sea turtles have been rescued so far, according to Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
A week ago crews rescued a nearly 300 pound loggerhead from Great Island in Wellfleet, Mass.
Volunteers Bruce Hurter and Charlie Sullivan found it on the beach. The possibly record-sized turtle for Massachusetts was taken to the New England Aquarium for medical care.
There is an annual cold-stun season on the cape. last year about 400 turtles washed ashore. Sea turtles become cold-stunned when they stay in waters that dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Many often don't survive.