The number of sea turtles that became stranded on Long Island beaches doubled this winter compared to last. Experts say this is due to sudden cold snaps that quickly change water temperature and stun turtles.
Sea turtles rely on water temperature to figure out when to migrate south, but an expert with the New York Marine Rescue Center says Long Island waters have not cooled gradually between fall and winter in recent years.
This means a sudden drop in water temperature, which stuns the turtles and makes them buoyant. They float with the current, hit rocks or get stranded on the beach.
The rescue center says you can’t just throw them back into the ocean. They need to be brought in to warming pools where they can be saved.
If you find a stranded sea turtle, the New York Marine Rescue Center has a 24/7 hotline at 631-369-9829 so rescuers can help.
