SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Tex. — As passionate members of the international dive community, we at BARE are sad to report that some of the nation’s most endangered species of sea turtle have fallen victim to the winter storms impacting the southern half of the country.
In recent days, it’s been reported that a massive operation is underway to save thousands of cold-stunned sea turtles in South Texas. As of press time, over 4,700 turtles are being sheltered in a convention center near South Padre Island.
According to an NPR report, local volunteers with the conservation nonprofit Sea Turtle, Inc. have rounded up thousands of the threatened animals to prevent catastrophic die-offs caused by the states’ current record-cold temperatures.
Wendy Knight, Executive Director at Sea Turtle Inc., told NPR that the community has rallied to save as many turtles as possible, some of which are over 100 years old and topping 350lbs. But she also said that the current challenges are being worsened by the lack of electricity.
“We have exacerbated a once-in-a-few-decade experience by a holdback of the power grid and a holdback of our electric support,” she said.
By Thursday, the town of South Padre Island had donated their regional convention center to housing and warming the legions of cold-threatened turtles, with over 4,700 being kept in a mix of tarps, plastic bins and kiddie pools.
What is a cold stun?
According to NOAA, when temperatures decline quickly sea turtles can suffer from a form of hypothermia called cold stunning. “Cold stunning can be fatal as sea turtles become lethargic, experiencing decreased circulation and slowing of other body functions,” the NOAA description reads.
“Cold-stunned sea turtles are more likely to be hit by boats, eaten by predators, become sick, or die as their bodies shut down,” the explanation continues. “Sea turtles are especially susceptible to cold stunning if water temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) or if they remain in shallow-water areas that can become very cold as air temperatures drop. This makes strong cold snaps and unseasonably cooler weather serious business for sea turtles.”
In light of the intense cold snap, volunteers are scrambling to save as many sea turtles as possible. And as reported by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, all of the five species of sea turtle being sheltered are either threatened or endangered, making the rescue efforts especially pressing.
Calling it “the armageddon of all cold stuns,” Knight lauded the south Texas community for their efforts to save their local turtle populations.
“The love and support of people who just want to help things that can’t help themselves is overwhelming,” Knight said.
Help the Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles
Editor’s Note: Wanna help save the turtles? Head over to Sea Turtle Inc.’s web page to see how you can do your part to keep the turtle populations robust in South Texas! And of course, stay warm yourself with our complete line of adventure-ready wetsuits and drysuits.
