VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Dozens of sea turtles are recovering from being cold-stunned in Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. This is due to the most recent cold temperatures.
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Technician Joanna Daniels expressed stunned turtles can’t handle water temperatures 55 degrees or below. Daniel explained that the turtles become shocked and it’s hard for them to move around.
Daniel points out the cold-stunned sea turtle season usually starts from the end of November to January. This year, they had several sea turtles that did not make it.
"This season we've probably had about 30 or so it starts in around November and continues through January, so I'll probably say around 30 or 40 and then, live-wise, we've had about 10 or 11,” said Daniel.
Miles away in North Carolina, more than 130 sea turtles were recovered and placed in bins.
Daniel explains the public should not handle a cold-stunned sea turtle. If you see a cold stunned sea turtle they should call the Virginia Aquarium has a Stranding Response Hotline at 757-385-7575.