QUINCY, Mass. (AP) — Scientists say New England has seen an unusually early start to the sea turtle stranding season this year, with more than 40 turtles washing up on Massachusetts beaches.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Massachusetts averages about 600 cold-stunned endangered sea turtles a year, but the season doesn’t typically start until the middle of November.
NOAA says this year already 42 live Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, one dead Kemp’s ridley and one dead green sea turtle have washed up on beaches.
The rescued turtles are triaged at a wildlife sanctuary before being taken to the New England Aquarium’s Animal Care Center in Quincy to be treated for hypothermia.
Some of the rescued turtles are then being taken to aquariums in North Carolina.
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