GALVESTON, Texas — More than 40 cold-stunned green sea turtles were released into the Gulf of Mexico Friday afternoon in Galveston. They were rehabilitated by local wildlife organizations.
The turtles were rescued during recent cold weather when temperatures dropped below 50° Fahrenheit, causing them to become immobilized and vulnerable to various dangers including boat strikes, predators, and exposure.
The timing of the turtle release was strategically planned to take advantage of optimal conditions. Officials chose Friday because it offered the warmest temperatures of the week, with peak surf temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf’s deeper waters maintain more stable temperatures compared to the shallow back bays, which average only two feet in depth
Wildlife experts understood concerns about releasing the turtles with more cold weather in the forecast. They said the rescued turtles were protected by the Gulf’s warmer waters and won’t face the risk of cold-stunning again. However, they anticipate more cold-stunned turtles may need rescue next week from the shallow back bays like West Bay and Christmas Bay. The release Friday opened up more space in the hospital for turtles that will be stunned in the incoming arctic blast.
Cold-stunning occurs when water temperatures drop suddenly, affecting sea turtles, which are reptiles whose body temperatures fluctuate with their environment. When cold-stunned, the turtles stop feeding and swimming, often floating helplessly and potentially washing ashore.
The rescue and release on Stewart Beach was a collaborative project involving the Houston Zoo, Galveston Island Park Board, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research thanked the staff, volunteers, and Texas Parks and Wildlife partners for planning, surveying, transporting, and processing the turtles.
If a cold-stunned turtle is spotted, call the Texas statewide hotline 1-866-TURTLE-5 so it can be recovered and saved.
The Center thanked Katie’s Seafood Market for donating frozen Gulf shrimp to feed the rehabilitating turtles.