Hospital Brims with Cold Turtles
A green sea turtle at Jean Beasley's sea turtle hospital. Credit: Cory Wilson/Oceana
Remember Jean Beasley, whom I visited at her Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehab center in Topsail Island, NC a few months back? In the past few weeks, she has admitted more than two dozen sea turtles due to the unseasonably cold weather in the southeast.
As temperatures fall precipitously and the turtles' heart rate and body temperature drop, they become immobile. Floating on the surface to breathe, they are blown to shore, where they can freeze to death.
Despite having an already full hospital, Beasley took the turtles in. When I visited, I couldn't imagine fitting any more sea turtles in the crowded warehouse. But she found room, of course.
Watch the video of Jean explaining the process.
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