GALVESTON, Texas — More than 100 sea turtles rescued after a winter storm were released into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, drawing crowds of families, volunteers and spectators along the shoreline.
Volunteers carried 102 rehabilitated turtles into the water one at a time as onlookers cheered during the afternoon release. The animals had been saved days earlier after frigid temperatures left many in a cold-stunned state.
“It was amazing. It was really amazing,” spectator Melodie Thompson said, describing the event as a memorable experience that prompted emotional reactions from some attendees. Thompson traveled from Clear Lake to witness the release.
Christopher Marshall, director of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, said the turtles were rescued after water temperatures dropped below 50 degrees Fahrenheit — conditions that can trigger cold-stunning, a coma-like state that prevents turtles from swimming or feeding and leaves them vulnerable to predators and passing boats.
“With the prevailing north winds, they get blown into the marshes and can get frostbite, pneumonia and actually be preyed upon,” Marshall said.
The Gulf Center mobilized about 200 volunteers who searched shorelines and marshes along the upper Texas coast following the storm. Over several days, teams recovered 152 cold-stunned turtles and transported them to a rehabilitation facility on the Texas A&M University at Galveston campus.
There, the turtles were gradually warmed and evaluated. Marshall said partner veterinarians conducted health checks and swim tests before clearing the animals for release.
Warmer Gulf waters are expected to offer safer conditions for the turtles even as another round of cooler weather approaches. Officials encouraged the public to avoid handling cold-stunned turtles and instead contact a sea turtle rescue hotline so trained responders can assist.
