Apple Strudel's Story
Cold Stunned & Pneumonia
Apple Strudel is the first of 12 juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that were transferred for rehabilitation from our friends at the New England Aquarium after becoming “cold stunned”. Cold stunning is a hypothermic reaction that causes sea turtles to become inactive and unable to swim from prolonged exposure to water temperatures below 50 degrees F. This phenomenon typically occurs in shallow bays and lagoons where temperatures can quickly decline, and where access to warmer waters may be restricted. Thanks to the organization Turtles Fly Too http://www.turtlesflytoo.org , Apple Strudel and the other Kemp’s Ridley turtles were flown down to us here in Florida for rehabilitation, where they could to “warm up” and receive a specially curated veterinary treatment plan. This patient has made a full recovery, and was released back into the wild in February of 2023!




Name: Apple Strudel
Species: Kemp’s Ridley (Lk)
Age class: Juvenile
Admission date: 12/18/22
Ailment: Cold Stunned, Pneumonia
Weight: 2.05 kg
Updates
12/18/22: Admitted into rehab. Veterinary exam, x-rays, and blood drawn.
12/19/22: Begin a supportive care regiment and daily nebulizer treatments.
12/30/22: Patient is active and eating!
1/4/23: X-rays and bloodwork taken and re-evaluated. Increase daily food offering and continue to monitor closely.
1/9/23: Halt daily nebulizing treatment but continue supportive care.
2/7/23: Off all medications.
2/21/23: Tagged and released in Cape Canaveral, FL.