Why You Shouldn’t “Rescue” That Lethargic Sea Turtle

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is cautioning about interacting with sea turtles you may encounter in South Jersey in the colder weather.

If you try to warm up a lethargic sea turtle you find on the beach or in the water, you may put the animal in shock.

It's Sea Turtles' Most Vulnerable Time of Year

In a Facebook post, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center told how they responded on Saturday to a report of a Green sea turtle floating in the bay in Beach Haven near the Queen City Marina.

With the help of a volunteer from Sea Turtle Rescue, the MMSC rescued the extremely lethargic sea turtle and transported the sick turtle up the Parkway to the Sea Turtle Rescue headquarters.

Sea Turtle Rescue gave this update concerning the turtle on Monday.

Current heart rate is 15...should be 30. Sea Turtle Recovery will know more once it is out of the critical care warming phase that is necessary for recovery.

 

A Sea Turtle Advisory from MMSC

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center posted this message of concern to anyone who might try to help a lethargic sea turtle.

"Please remember that this is the most vulnerable time of year for sea turtles who are still in our waters. In water temperatures below 55 degrees, a sea turtle's metabolism slows down considerably, and they become immobile, appearing deceased.

Please call the MMSC's 24-hour stranding hotline 609-266-0538 or Sea Turtle Recovery at (609) 667-4076 to report sea turtles in distress. Please DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WARM THE TURTLE YOURSELF, as this may cause the animal to go into shock.

If you spot a sea turtle in distress on land or in the water, you should first contact either MMSC or STR for further instructions.

If you are on a boat at sea and spot a sea turtle in distress and have no cell service, you should radio the USCG on VHF channel 16 to relay your report."