WELLFLEET, Mass. — Animal rescue volunteers say more than four dozen sea turtles have died of exposure after washing ashore in frigid conditions on Cape Cod.
The Cape Cod Times reports that low temperatures and high winds combined to kill most of the 50 turtles that washed up Thursday in Brewster, Orleans and Eastham on the lower part of the peninsula.
Wow--more than 300 cold-stunned sea turtles so far this fall and today-- a nearly 300 pound loggerhead was rescued from...
Posted by Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on Wednesday, November 21, 2018
The Massachusetts Audubon Society's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary says about 350 sea turtles have come ashore since Oct. 22. They include Kemp's ridley turtles, green turtles and loggerhead turtles.
Our sea turtle volunteers are patroling the beaches and some are here at the sanctuary helping our staff with processing...
Posted by Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Spokeswoman Jenette Kerr says most of the animals being brought to the sanctuary are dead and in some cases literally frozen.
Travel Day: Our rescue team arrived at 4:45 this am to prepare 32 turtles for transport to @NatlAquarium for rehab. Their staff drove up last night and are returning home today w/ 30 Kemp's ridley & 2 greens. Safe travels, all! #TuesdayTravel #animalrescue #seaturtles pic.twitter.com/Tjlv0qNiE2
— New England Aquarium (@NEAQ) November 20, 2018
Biologists say the turtles are stunned by the cold water in Cape Cod Bay, which shuts down their metabolisms and renders them unable to move.
More wind means more cold-stunned sea turtles-- about 30 rmore rescued since last night! Next Saturday we invite you to...
Posted by Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, November 17, 2018
Associated Press