Of the 1,200 cold-stunned turtles brought in this month, only about 30 remain in rehabilitation.
PANAMA CITY — Gulf World Marine Institute has taken about 1,200 cold-stunned sea turtles into rehab since Jan. 2, and all but about 30 are back in the sea.
January's was the largest cold-stun event in the Panhandle since 2010, with more than 850 sea turtles stranded Jan. 2-7. A second cold snap brought an additional 300 sea turtles into rehab from Jan. 16-19.
When waters fall below 50 degrees in shallow bays and estuaries, sea turtles can become shocked by the frigid temperatures.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Geological Survey and Gulf World Marine Institute workers collaborated in the search, rescue, transport, rehabilitation and release of the turtles.
During a public release Jan. 20, almost 350 turtles were released in front of hundreds at Cape Palms Park. Hundreds more were released privately
GWMI officials said fewer than 30 sea turtles remain in rehab because of secondary illnesses and will be released when they are medically cleared.