Rescue facilities overwhelmed
Herald Tribune 12 Jan 10;
SARASOTA - Cold water is killing endangered sea turtles and other marine wildlife statewide, the lingering result of a record-breaking spate of freezing weather this month.
More than 2,000 sea turtles have been found floating listless and near death in the water by wildlife rescuers. Two manatees have died of cold stress and thousands of dead fish, including sharks, have been reported.
The biggest, most catastrophic impact has been on green sea turtles, an endangered species that frequents the state's bays and estuaries. Of the approximately 2,000 sea turtles found so far, more than 90 percent were green sea turtles.
“We're hoping that as many as 70 percent of the affected turtles might survive,” said Carli Segelson, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
Green sea turtles represent one of few success stories in the history of nursing endangered species from the cusp of extinction. This latest setback could hinder the animals' ability to rebound if the state's rescue efforts do not succeed.
“If we're assuming that the turtles are rescued and rehabilitated and put back into the ocean it's a minimal effect,” said Wallace J. Nichols, a sea turtle expert and research scientist for California Academy of Sciences.
If most of the turtles die, the implications are serious.
“When you're talking thousands of turtles being removed from a population of endangered species, it's certainly a concern,” Nichols said.
An estimated 88,500 nesting females exist worldwide, according the Caribbean Conservation Corporation.
Reviving a turtle from cold shock is easy compared to other illnesses that strike turtles, Segelson said. But the sheer volume of those at risk is a conern.
Mote Marine Laboraties in Sarasota is treating 13 of the turtles at its wildlife hospital, which is equipped to comfortably handle 9 turtles at a time.
“Right now, like all the other organizations that are taking these turtles around the state, we are overbooked,” said Haley Rutger, a spokesperson for Mote Marine.
A wildlife hospital in Boca Raton was treating 71 turtles on Tuesday in a facility equipped to handle seven.
Turtles were most affected in Brevard County and the Panhandle, but recoveries have also been made in Southwest Florida.
Segelson said the state has seen cold-stunned sea turtles before, but this episode is likely the largest cold-related sea turtle stranding ever.
When water temperatures fall between 45 and 50 degrees, sea turtles start becoming weak and going limp. Many of them appear dead, but are in state of shock.
“It's important for people to note that even if these animals appear to be dead, they may still be alive,” Segelson said. She encouraged people to report listless sea turtles to the state's toll free wildlife hotline: 888-404-3922.
“We're going to continue with rescue efforts today and as long as the situation warrants that action,” Segelson said.
Manatees are also at risk. The warm water creatures start suffering cold stress when water temperatures dip below 68 degrees. Manatees seek power plant discharge canals and natural warm springs to keep their body temperatures from dropping.
Wildlife officials are urging people, including motor boaters and kayakers, to avoid areas where large numbers of manatees are gathering.
Warm water fish also are dying. The temperatures have killed snook, jack species, parrotfish, barracudas, pompano, tarpon, mullet, catfish, gag grouper, kingfish, bass bream and carp.
Gulf temperatures in Venice on Tuesday were 52 degrees, as recorded by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoy. The temperature is about 10 degrees below average for January, according to the buoy historic data.
Earlier today
Cold weather is taking a toll on state wildlife, with reports that about 2,000 sea turtles have been injured by the unusually chilly waters.
Rescue facilities across the state are overwhelmed.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center has sent out a plea for financial help as it struggles to treat 71 sea turtles in a facility that is meant to house 7.
Mote Marine Laboratory's wildlife rehabilitation hospital in Sarasota is also taking some of the overflow.
The hospital is now treating four sea turtles and is expected to get five more tonight.
Four turtles already have had to be euthhanized at the Mote hospital and seven have died so far.
Sea turtles' body functions start to shut down in cold water.
Most of the affected turtles are endangered green sea turtles and were found in St. John's Bay in the Panhandle and on Mosquito Lagoon on the east coast, according to a Mote Marine press release.
