Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium takes in sea turtles stunned by cold during nor’easter

By WSBTV.com News Staff

Loggerhead sea turtle

By WSBTV.com News Staff

ATLANTA — The Georgia Aquarium is helping some frozen New England residents to warm up and recover amid a historic nor’easter.

The Aquarium took in eight cold-stunned loggerhead sea turtles from the coast of New England this week.

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“They’re having a cold-stun event up in the New England area,” senior vet Dr. Adrienne Atkins said. “When the weather drops and the temperature in the water drops along with it, the animals get caught up in these currents, so they experience almost like a frostbite event.”

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Every year, zoos and aquariums from across the country work with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to give cold-stunned turtles temporary homes to warm up and gain strength.

The organizations work with volunteer pilots through a group called Turtles Fly Too to get the animals safely across the country.

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The turtles will eventually be returned back to the ocean after they are nursed back to health.

This weekend’s nor’easter left snow totals of up to 30 inches in some places.

Meet our Chilly New (Temporary) Friends!

We have some new chilly temporary friends! 🐢 Over the past few weeks, we welcomed 8 cold stunned loggerhead sea turtles that were rescued off the coast of New England. Each year, zoos and aquariums from across the country work alongside our partners at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help give cold stunned turtles temporary homes to warm up and gain strength. Operations like this that help save thousands of turtles is not only done by zoos and aquariums but by organizations like Turtles Fly Too. Their pilot’s donated time and planes help these turtles reach their temporary homes to warm up and get healthy. Keep an 👀 out for more on our chilly friends and when they will return back to the ocean.

Posted by Georgia Aquarium on Friday, January 28, 2022

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