JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Eight rehabilitated green sea turtles were released into the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday after recovering from cold stunning, a condition caused by the rare arctic blast that brought snowfall to northern Florida last month.
A total of 17 stranded sea turtles were rescued along Florida’s northeastern Atlantic Coast and transported to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach for emergency rehabilitation.
“There are so many turtles that were affected by that cold stunning event that happened several weeks ago,” said Dr. Heather Barron, lead veterinarian at Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
How Cold Stunning Affects Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are cold-blooded reptiles, meaning their body temperature depends on their environment. The sudden drop in water temperatures from the unprecedented cold front severely affected them, causing cold stunning—a condition that renders turtles immobile, lethargic, and vulnerable.
“The cold really suppresses their immune system because they are reptiles, and their body temperature is taken from the surrounding temperature of the water,” Dr. Barron explained.
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Widespread Impact on Florida’s Sea Turtle Population
The arctic blast caused extremely rare snowfall as far south as northern Florida, with frigid temperatures reaching South Florida.
Due to the harsh weather conditions, dozens of additional turtles have been rescued and brought to marine facilities across the state, many of which have reached full capacity.
At Loggerhead Marinelife Center, veterinarians have treated the affected turtles with:
- Antibiotics
- Fluids
- Intravenous nutrition
Most of the rescued turtles are expected to make a full recovery and will be released back into the ocean within a few weeks.
TurtleFest 2025: Raising Awareness for Marine Life Conservation
Loggerhead Marinelife Center is preparing to welcome over 15,000 visitors this weekend for its 20th Annual TurtleFest, a free marine conservation event aimed at educating the public about ocean wildlife and sustainability.
The festival will feature:
✅ Interactive educational exhibits
✅ Live music
✅ Family-friendly activities
✅ Marine life conservation presentations
With ongoing threats like climate change and habitat destruction, TurtleFest serves as a vital platform for spreading awareness about protecting Florida’s sea turtles and marine ecosystems.
For more information on Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s rescue and conservation efforts, visit their official website.
