Fernanda Gonzalez SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Sea Turtle Inc. released more than 190 sea turtles into the gulf after a cold-stun last week.
Last Wednesday, the non-profit sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center released dozens of sea turtles at Cameron County Beach Access 4.
A cold stun event is when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees causing sea turtles to struggle to regulating their own body temperature.
If it continues to get colder, the sea turtles go into a comatose state, immobilizing them.
Wendy Knight, Sea Turtle Inc.’s chief executive officer, said when a cold stun event happens, there’s an immediate deployment of boats and on-foot volunteers between five to 24 hours after the temperature dips below 50 degrees.
“So, being catatonic, they float to the top of the water and if not rescued they won’t be able to raise their head out of the water to draw breath and they’ll drown,” Knight said.
In a recent livestream, Sea Turtle Inc. stated the second full week of cold stun is on, which caused the deployment of volunteers and staff early Tuesday morning. Knight said if the weather forecast does not change, the water temperature will stay below the 50’s until mid-Friday.
Knight said the organization is open for donations and volunteering.
If you want to help, you may purchase items from the organization’s Amazon wish list.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the organization, visit Sea Turtle Inc.
