ORA joins efforts to rescue sea turtles affected by recent cold weather

By Brian Blank on Jan 14, 2010

ORA Farms is joining the battle to help rescue and rehabilitate thousands of sea turtles suffering thermal shock from cold coastal waters due to the recent cold weather that has been impacting the southern United States and Florida in particular. By jumping in and offering space in some empty large-scale growout containers, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is bringing some of the turtles to a more suitable environment to hopefully make a full recovery before being reintroduced to their natural habitat once the weather improves. More information and pictures after the break.

After contacting state agencies, researchers and volunteers involved in the rescue efforts making the availability of space known, over 100 Green Sea Turtles are now housed at ORA.

“Florida officials were so pleased with our systems and ability to hold the turtles under controlled conditions that we are expecting more to come. All the turtles are so far doing well and will be released back to the wild once cleared by fishery biologists,” said ORA in their press release.

Many Sea Turtles have died in the wild as a result of this unusual cold snap. But many more have been saved by the efforts of people across the State and hopefully they will live to once again nest on the sunny beaches of Florida.

“For us at ORA, making this small contribution to help of one of the most beloved and endangered sea creatures in a time of need was an easy decision. Kudos should be given to Laura Cousin and Dustin Dorton and many other ORA staff members who contacted authorities, volunteered time and organized the preparation of the hatchery,” they continued.

Our staff at Reef Builders offers our appreciation to the team at ORA for stepping in and helping these wonderful creatures in dire times.

B

Way to go ORA.

You just jumped up a notch in my book.
B

Way to go ORA.

You just jumped up a notch in my book.
Clint Warren

I agree with B. I am happy to support companies that do the right thing. Thanks for the good work ORA.
Clint Warren

I agree with B. I am happy to support companies that do the right thing. Thanks for the good work ORA.
Justin

I did too I’m guessing many other aquaculture shops in FL have helped as well.
http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=34751
Justin

I did too I’m guessing many other aquaculture shops in FL have helped as well.
http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=34751
http://reefbuilders.com Brian Blank

Way to go Justin! Thanks for adding the link, love the pics!
http://reefbuilders.com Brian Blank

Way to go Justin! Thanks for adding the link, love the pics!
http://www.reefaquatica.com Hubert the Clownfishman

Dustin’s looking good ~~ (with the turtle)
http://www.reefaquatica.com Hubert the Clownfishman

Dustin’s looking good ~~ (with the turtle)
Amy Drehmel

So sweet ! Way to go ORA !
Amy Drehmel

So sweet ! Way to go ORA !
MFR

All the more reason to support ORA!
MFR

All the more reason to support ORA!
Brandino

Good thing for us is with Global Warming, we won’t have to worry about doing this for many more years. LOL

Opps, I might be wrong, but Global Warming caused these cold temps. I am confused. LOL
Brandino

Good thing for us is with Global Warming, we won’t have to worry about doing this for many more years. LOL

Opps, I might be wrong, but Global Warming caused these cold temps. I am confused. LOL
Brandino

nice work guys! wish I could help!
Brandino

nice work guys! wish I could help!
Bill

Way to go ORA!!!

Guess that whole global warming thing isn’t looking very REAL after all.
Bill

Way to go ORA!!!

Guess that whole global warming thing isn’t looking very REAL after all.
shaun s

Good work to all the people who pitched in on this effort.

As for those who bring up global warming, thank you for proving you have done no research on the subject. Accept what Glen Beck tells you. Keep listening to people with high school education and paid to have the opinion they spew. Glen Beck on CNN cried after his butt surgery about how horrible the health care system is… then FOX gives him a big contract and his opinions suddenly do a 180. These people on TV are bought and paid for(on all channels). Educate yourself, it’s called reading.
shaun s

Good work to all the people who pitched in on this effort.

As for those who bring up global warming, thank you for proving you have done no research on the subject. Accept what Glen Beck tells you. Keep listening to people with high school education and paid to have the opinion they spew. Glen Beck on CNN cried after his butt surgery about how horrible the health care system is… then FOX gives him a big contract and his opinions suddenly do a 180. These people on TV are bought and paid for(on all channels). Educate yourself, it’s called reading.
Dustin

We took in about 60 more turtles last night, most were released or transferred to long term rehab centers today. We just got word that 50 to 60 more are going to be arriving in a few hours. I will try to get some more pictures posted, the Loggerhead was really cool!
Dustin

We took in about 60 more turtles last night, most were released or transferred to long term rehab centers today. We just got word that 50 to 60 more are going to be arriving in a few hours. I will try to get some more pictures posted, the Loggerhead was really cool!
shaun s

I see a lot of smiles. That looks like fun.
shaun s

I see a lot of smiles. That looks like fun.
Jeremy Maneyapanda

Well done, ORA.
Jeremy Maneyapanda

Well done, ORA.
http://reefbuilders.com Brian Blank

Dustin, thanks for the update. Statewide, what is the survival rate of those brought into facilities like yours?
http://reefbuilders.com Brian Blank

Dustin, thanks for the update. Statewide, what is the survival rate of those brought into facilities like yours?
Dustin

Brian,
As the days passed we took in two more batches of turtles, I think we had a max of 213 at one point. I have heard that the state had collected between 2000 and 4000 stunned turtles. No one was really saying what the over all mortality was, we had two arrive dead and no other losses. I don’t think the mortality rate we saw was representative of the overall situation though.
We had a handful of turtles that had flotation issues or eye injuries (most likely from birds when they were stranded) that were transferred to vet staffed rehab centers, the rest were successfully released over the weekend.
Dustin

Brian,
As the days passed we took in two more batches of turtles, I think we had a max of 213 at one point. I have heard that the state had collected between 2000 and 4000 stunned turtles. No one was really saying what the over all mortality was, we had two arrive dead and no other losses. I don’t think the mortality rate we saw was representative of the overall situation though.
We had a handful of turtles that had flotation issues or eye injuries (most likely from birds when they were stranded) that were transferred to vet staffed rehab centers, the rest were successfully released over the weekend.
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