Hypothermic turtles “pouring” into Aquarium care center in Quincy

QUINCY —

The New England Aquarium’s Animal Care Center in Quincy has received 40 endangered, hypothermic sea turtles from Cape Cod during the last three days including, aquarium officials said Wednesday, a disproportionate percentage of large loggerheads and green sea turtles.

Three turtles arrived in Quincy Wednesday morning, and several more were due in later in the day. Staff and volunteers with the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary at Wellfleet Bay rescued the turtles.

The sea turtle stranding season begins in early November and lasts through December, aquarium officials said. So far this season, nearly 90 sea turtles have been rescued.

At the Quincy center, the turtles are warmed 5 degrees per day for several days until their body temperatures are in the 70-degree range. This slow re-warming process helps the turtles fight off infections, according to information provided by the aquarium.

Source: The Patriot Ledger