Global Warming Causes Increased Stranding of Endangered Sea Turtles in New England

Global warming is causing a surge in sea turtle strandings in New England. Over the past two decades, the number of stranded turtles has increased significantly. This has led to some animal hospitals becoming specialised centres for treating endangered species with conditions like pneumonia and sepsis.

Adam Kennedy, director of rescue and rehabilitation at the New England Aquarium, explained that over 200 cold-stunned young turtles are currently being treated. The warming of the Gulf of Maine has turned it into a natural trap for these turtles. They enter areas like Cape Cod Bay when it's warm but struggle to escape as temperatures drop.

Impact of Climate Change on Turtle Strandings

"Climate change certainly is allowing those numbers of turtles to get in where normally the numbers weren't very high years ago," Kennedy stated. Cold-stunned sea turtles, often near death, wash up on Cape Cod each fall and winter. The aquarium anticipates rescuing at least 400 turtles this year, a significant increase from about 40 annually a decade ago.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that the five-year average of cold-stunned sea turtles in Massachusetts was around 200 in the early 2010s. This number has grown to over 700 in recent years. All turtles at the New England Aquarium's hospital are juveniles, primarily critically endangered Kemp's ridley turtles.

Kemp's Ridley Turtles and Their Challenges

The Kemp's ridley turtle, the world's smallest sea turtle, primarily inhabits the Gulf of Mexico but ventures into the Atlantic Ocean when young. A 2019 study in PLoS One suggests that ocean warming increases cold-stunning events for these turtles in the Northwest Atlantic. Warmer seas may push them northward, making stranding more likely.

The turtle hospital helps rehabilitate these animals so they can be safely returned to the wild, either locally or in warmer southern waters, according to Kennedy. Upon arrival, many turtles are critically ill. "The majority of the turtles arrive with serious ailments such as pneumonia, dehydration, traumatic injuries, or sepsis," said Melissa Joblon, director of animal health at the aquarium.

Efforts to Return Turtles to Their Natural Habitat

Around 80% of these turtles survive their ordeal. High wind speeds and dropping temperatures have contributed to recent strandings. Some turtles arriving at the hospital are green turtles or loggerheads, which face numerous threats despite not being as endangered as Kemp's ridley.

"At the end of the day getting these turtles back to the wild is what we are doing and what we want," Kennedy emphasised. "We want them back in the ocean." The ongoing efforts aim to ensure these creatures can return safely to their natural habitats.