IMAGES: Endangered sea turtles rescued off of Cape Cod

QUINCY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Nine endangered sea turtles were rescued this weekend after they washed up on Outer Cape beaches.

The 4-9 pound black shelled Kemp's Ridleys turtles were rescued by staff and volunteers from the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary at Wellfleet Bay. They were then transported to the New England Aquarium's sea turtle hospital in Quincy.

November is the beginning of sea turtle stranding season on Cape Cod -- the cold waters cause the internal temperatures of the turtles to fall below their usual numbers in the 70s and into the mid-50s. The turtles, which were found lethargic and covered in algae, may require prolonged rehab of anywhere from 3 to 10 months, and 85 to 90-percent of the rescued turtles will be released back into warm waters off of Florida or Georgia over the winter.

Kemp's Ridleys are the most endangered sea turtle in the world and migrate annually to the waters off of Cape Cod. Annually, 90 to 100 sea turtles will strand on Cape Cod. Over 20 years, the New England Aquarium and Mass Audubon at Wellfleet Bay have rescued, rehabilitated and released over 1000 endangered turtles.

All photos courtesy of the New England Aquarium. Mobile users click here to see image gallery.

Cox Media Group