Cold-Stunned: Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles Face Chilling Crisis

As frigid temperatures swept across the Gulf of Mexico last week, one of the world’s most endangered sea turtle species, the Kemp’s Ridley, faced a dire battle against the elements. Cold-stunning, an often deadly phenomenon, has left hundreds of these gentle marine reptiles disoriented, immobile, and vulnerable.

The rescue of 190 turtles by Sea Turtle Inc., a South Padre Island-based organization, highlights both the danger and the ongoing efforts to save these remarkable creatures.

Cold-stunning occurs when water temperatures plummet below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving sea turtles, which are cold-blooded reptiles, unable to regulate their body temperatures. This can result in lethargy, an inability to swim, and a range of health problems, including infections, lesions, and frostbite.

Young turtles are particularly at risk and may require human intervention to survive.
“Cold-stunned turtles essentially go into hypothermic shock,” explains Wendy Knight, CEO of Sea Turtle Inc. “If they’re not rescued quickly, they can drown or fall prey to predators.”

Over the past week, volunteers and experts have braved frigid conditions to save these stranded turtles. They are being brought to rehabilitation facilities where they are slowly warmed, rehydrated, and monitored for additional injuries. Some turtles arrive with more than just cold-related ailments: boat strikes, infections, and other injuries often complicate their recovery.
“The good news,” Knight shares, “is that most of these turtles will recover once they’re out of the water and given time to warm up. The ocean is resilient, and so are these animals.”

As Texas braces for another arctic blast, organizations like Sea Turtle Inc. and the Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) are urging residents to keep an eye out for cold-stunned turtles. These turtles may be found floating near the water’s surface or washed up on shorelines.

“We rely heavily on the community,” says a spokesperson for TIRN. “A simple phone call can mean the difference between life and death for these turtles.”
If you spot a cold-stunned sea turtle, call the TIRN hotline at 1-886-TURTLE-5 to report the sighting. Volunteers will guide you on how to ensure the turtle’s safety until rescuers arrive.