Sea turtles strand in record numbers on Outer Banks
Frigid temperatures and stormy weather have stunned record numbers of endangered sea turtles off the Outer Banks, forcing volunteers to scramble to save them within the 24-hour survival window.
So far, 44 of the cold-blooded creatures have been transported to the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles rehabilitation center at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, said aquarist Christian Guerreri.
That's a record number of cold-stunned turtles for the Outer Banks, she said. Last winter, 28 were found off barrier island beaches.
Guerreri said four turtles have died, and nine have been sent to other rehabilitation facilities, including five to Virginia Beach.
Leaning over a small box on the floor of the heated facility, Guerreri pulled a towel off the carapace of the most recent admittance, a small green turtle that arrived Tuesday morning. The animal lay in its warm new bed, seemingly unperturbed by the attention but aware.
"Sometimes they're so lethargic, they won't lift their head to breathe," Guerreri said.
Posted by Mike Bishal on
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