Wildlife

Sea Turtle Cold Stunning: Winter Welfare Crisis

Cold stunning occurs when sea turtles are exposed to rapidly dropping water temperatures, causing life-threatening hypothermia.

Key Facts

Cold stunning occurs primarily in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts each autumn
Loggerhead and Kemp's ridley turtles are most commonly affected
Turtles become lethargic and unable to swim when water drops below 10 degrees Celsius
Thousands of cold-stunned turtles strand on beaches each year
Mass Audubon and New England Aquarium lead rescue operations

Welfare Considerations

Cold-stunned turtles experience hypothermia, metabolic shutdown, pneumonia, and are vulnerable to boat strikes and drowning. Rescue, rehabilitation, and gradual warming by volunteer organizations saves hundreds of turtles annually. Climate change is altering the timing and severity of cold-stunning events.

What You Can Do

Report stranded turtles to NOAA or local wildlife hotlines immediately
Volunteer with sea turtle rescue organizations in the northeast US
Donate to sea turtle rehabilitation programs
Avoid disturbing stranded turtles before rescuers arrive
Support research on cold-stunning prediction and prevention