Dozens of cold-stunned turtles were flown from the cold waters of Cape Cod down to the Florida Keys and brought to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon over Thanksgiving weekend. The 40 rescued turtles were Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, one of the most endangered sea turtle species. LIVE at the Turtle Hospital 40 cold stunned Kemps Ridley sea turtles checked in last night and are warming up in the Florida Keys sunshine! Being “cold stunned” can leave lasting impacts on the turtles and recovery can take anywhere from 30 days to a year. So far, all 40 turtles have passed their swim tests, meaning they have no immediate threats to their health.

With sea turtle hatchlings emerging on beaches across the state, Florida wildlife officials want the publics help to make sure they reach the ocean. During sea turtle nesting season (March 1 Oct. 31), it is important to keep your distance from the protected marine reptiles and their nests, the FWC said. Interfering with a sea turtle hatchlings trek to the ocean can have fatal consequences, said FWC sea turtle biologist Robbin Trindell. Remember, sea turtles are protected by law Stay back and give sea turtles space if you see one on the beach at night. Remember, it is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests, eggs or hatchlings.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Sea turtle nesting season is underway in Florida. During the months of May through October, endangered sea turtles build nests in the sand and hatchlings eventually make their way ocean. However, Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol said they are seeing more false crawls than nests this year. So far this season, Brown said there are 23 nests including two leatherback nests If you want to help turles through the nesting season. The bottom line is this is a protected species, federally and state, said Brown.