Wonders of Wildlife welcomes 20 more critically ill sea turtles for life-saving care

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in the Missouri Ozarks has welcomed its fifth group of critically ill sea turtles for rehabilitation.

Since its Sea Turtle Center was founded in 2020, Wonders of Wildlife has successfully rehabilitated more than 40 sea turtles, including loggerheads, green sea turtles, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.

The latest arrivals - 20 loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles - were transported to Wonders of Wildlife on Saturday, Dec. 21.

These turtles were rescued from the northeastern U.S. coast, where rapidly dropping ocean temperatures have caused a surge in stranded sea turtles. When water temperatures drop suddenly, turtles can suffer from "cold-stunning," a condition that renders them immobile and can lead to severe complications like hypothermia, pneumonia, and dehydration.

The turtles are undergoing life-saving treatments, including hydration therapy, wound care, nutritional support, and specialized veterinary attention. Once stabilized, they will be released back into their natural habitats in coordination with federal and state wildlife agencies.

“Our team is passionate about giving these turtles the best chance for survival,” said Mike Daniel, Director of Animal Care at Wonders of Wildlife, via a news release. “Every rescue is a step toward protecting the future of these endangered species, and we’re honored to be a key part of that effort.”

This season alone, NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have reported more than 400 cold-stunned sea turtles across the East Coast, each requiring urgent medical attention. With only one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings surviving to adulthood - and three sea turtle species classified as endangered - every successful rehabilitation and release is crucial to their survival.

For more information on Wonder of Wildlife and its sea turtle rehabilitation efforts, click here.