Fish+and+Wildlife+Research+Institute


 * [[image:sea-turtle-preservation-society.gif]]Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)**

Florida has been experiencing some unusual temperatures for its state. Florida is known for its sunny weather but at this time of year there is a long stretch of cold weather. The cold weather is making life very difficuly for marine animals, especially turtles. The total counts of turtles that are experiencing cold stunning are over 3,000. This number is extremely high and causing many people thinks that this will be the extinction of this beautiful animal. The FWC is working with turtle hospitals and zoos around the state. Where ever there is room and medical supplies available htat is where the turtles are put. Hospitals and zoos can only take so many turtles. After there is no more room other states on the East Coast take in some turtles.
 * What is happening in Florida?**




 * What processes are taken?**

Step 1: As soon as the FWC get a call about a turtle either stranded on the beach or floating on top of the water unable to move, they contact some of their staff or a volunteer group.



Step 2: The volunteer group/staff walk along the beach where the citing of the turtle was. Once they find the turtle(s) they call the coordinator of the FWC and tell them what they have found.



Step 3: The turtle(s) are rescued and put in the back of a truck. The turtle gets taken to a facility where it can be looked over by a veterinarian and given the care it needs. While the veterinarian is examining the turtle it is measured, tagged, and weighed.





Step 4: After the turtle starts coming around it is placed in a container. The container has warm salty water inside in order to get the temperature of the turtle back to normal.



Step 5: When the turtle is healthy it is then returned back to the water. The turtle will not be released back where it was found because it will experience cold stunning again. It is transported to warmer waters.