First Turtles of the Cold-Stun Season Arrive at The Florida Aquarium (Florida Aquarium)

FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Facing water temperatures that plunged into the 50s following the recent Arctic blast, hundreds of green sea turtles have stranded off the Gulf coast along Florida’s Panhandle. In just the past ten days, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has rescued more than 600 cold-stunned sea turtles.
FWC determined two of those turtles needed more than gradual warming and supportive care, prompting their transfer from northwest Florida for advanced treatment at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach.

The juvenile green sea turtles – now named “Patriot” and “Seahawk” – arrived on Super Bowl Sunday and immediately underwent comprehensive intake exams. Specialists checked their eyes and heart rate, assessed barnacles and injuries, and performed swim tests to evaluate their strength and buoyancy.
“Cold stunning is incredibly dangerous because these turtles become lethargic and unable to swim, which makes them vulnerable to hypothermia, infection, and even drowning,” said Alyssa Fessett, Senior Biologist at The Florida Aquarium. “Patriot and Seahawk arrived weak, but with specialized veterinary care, therapy, and close monitoring, we’re hopeful they’ll recover and return to their ocean home.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO, PHOTOS & SOUND FROM THE TURTLES’ ARRIVAL AND FIRST EXAMINATION

Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium
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a little more: https://www.flaquarium.org/news-events/latest-news/first-turtles-of-the-cold-stun-season-arrive-at-the-florida-aquarium/