Abstract

In January of 2010, the state of Florida experienced a cold-stun event significantly larger than any in US history. Multiple species were affected, including manatees, reptiles, tropical fish, and even farm crops throughout the state. Over 4,500 cold-stunned sea turtles were found in all coastal regions of Florida, including the Keys, far surpassing the previous record for a single cold-stun event of 400 turtles in the year 2001.

Approximately 1,800 cold-stunned turtles were found in St. Joseph Bay, a coastal area stretching roughly 15 miles wide in the Florida panhandle. Gulf World Marine Park responded to and received all 1,800 turtles from this area over a period of eight consecutive days. Due to the sheer number of animals, a different approach to medical care had to be taken. Rather than providing medical treatment for each individual turtle, Gulf World staff adopted a herd health management plan by evaluating and triaging each animal, then designating it to one of several treatment areas (shallow or deep pools for observation, or ICU for further medical care). On initial physical examination, 79 turtles had possible fibropapillomas and were isolated from unaffected turtles. Approximately 200 cold-stunned turtles required medical care in the ICU. The most severely affected turtles received supportive treatment in the form of intracoelomic fluids, tube feeding, and medications as needed. Diagnostic techniques implemented included CBC, chemical profiles, whole body radiographs, and in one case, a CT scan. Using this system, only 19 of the 1,268 turtles that presented alive died, and the rest were successfully tagged and released back into the Gulf of Mexico.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the staff and trainers at Gulf World Marine Park for the excellent care they provide to all the animals. We would also like to thank NOAA, FWC, the students at Eckerd College, the US Coast Guard, and the countless volunteers that helped during this event.