MARATHON, Fla. (AP) — Seven young green sea turtles are being rehabilitated at a special hospital after being rescued from frigid waters off the Florida coast.
The Miami Herald reports that the turtles were found swimming lethargically in 57-degree water by Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff near Clearwater Beach. The cold water stuns the turtles.
Those rescued were found amid some dead turtles, and taken to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon to be treated.
Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach says more turtles are expected to be delivered, but that some died after arriving.
Zirkelbach says four were already eating and will undergo surgeries to remove tumors caused by fibropapillomatosis, a herpes virus specific to sea turtles.
Full recovery could take up to two years.
The hospital admitted 172 sea turtles in 2015, up from 93 in 2014.
Seven new patients are settling in tonight. Sea Lion, Zebra, Vampire Bat, Eros, Uakari, Xerus, and Walrus are juvenile...
Posted by The Turtle Hospital on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
We just received another 6 new patients yesterday and one needs your help! He arrived as a transfer from Clearwater...
Posted by The Turtle Hospital on Saturday, February 13, 2016