Texas State Aquarium Rescues Over 700 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Amid January 2025 Cold Weather

February 6, 2025

Corpus Christi, TX – In response to two severe cold fronts that swept through South Texas in January 2025, the Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue at the Texas State Aquarium launched extensive rescue operations, saving over 700 cold-stunned sea turtles, between January 10 and February 1.

Anticipating this extreme weather event, the Aquarium’s wildlife rescue and operations teams deployed their emergency protocols and began preparing Aquatic Field Stabilization Systems on January 2, readying for the influx of cold-stunned sea turtles.

The first cold front on January 10 left many sea turtles in the Laguna Madre and nearby shallow bays lethargic and unable to swim. As cold-blooded animals, these sea turtles depend on environmental heat. The sudden cold left them vulnerable to health issues, including potential pneumonia and injuries from collisions with rocks. From January 10 to January 12, the Center received 297 endangered green sea turtles in need of care due to cold-stunning. On January 14, just days after their rescue, 280 rehabilitated sea turtles were released back into their natural habitat at Padre Balli Park.

Partner organizations and volunteers played a pivotal role, transporting sea turtles in trucks and trailers packed to capacity to the Center for Wildlife Rescue. The sea turtles received thorough medical assessments and treatments from the Aquarium’s dedicated teams.

A second cold front struck on January 21, leading to another surge in cold-stunned sea turtles. The Aquarium’s wildlife rescue and operations teams once again prepared additional Aquatic Stabilization Systems to handle the influx. The Aquarium joined forces with Padre Island National Seashore and launched a public awareness campaign to educate the community on how to assist cold-stunned sea turtles.

Between January 21 and January 25, the Center admitted 607 sea turtles, with 378 arriving in a single day on January 22.  The Animal Health and Wildlife Care teams worked diligently to stabilize the turtles, gradually helping them regain a healthy body temperature. Hundreds of sea turtles were housed at the Center for Wildlife Rescue and thanks to the swift, coordinated effort, 465 turtles were cleared for release just a few days later.

On Friday, January 31, the Aquarium released 121 of the larger sea turtles, followed by the release of the remaining 344 sea turtles on Saturday, February 1 at Padre Balli Park in Corpus Christi. We are deeply grateful to Nueces County for generously providing access to Padre Balli Park for this important sea turtle release.

“This remarkable rescue effort showcases the strength of collaboration, the dedication of countless individuals, and the critical role that rapid response, community engagement, and strong partnerships play in wildlife conservation,” said Jesse Gilbert, President and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium. “We are incredibly proud of our team and deeply grateful to our partners for their unwavering support and commitment to protecting marine life.”

This rescue mission was made possible through the collaboration of several dedicated partner organizations. The Texas State Aquarium extends special thanks to Padre Island National Seashore, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, NOAA Fisheries, the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Sealife Center, The Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), Mid Coast Sea Turtle Rescue, and the Port of Corpus Christi for their collaborative efforts in rescuing these endangered sea turtles and supporting the work of the Center for Wildlife Rescue.

For more information about the Texas State Aquarium’s wildlife rescue efforts, please visit www.texasstateaquarium.org.

About Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium (TSA), the Official Aquarium of the State of Texas, is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) institution that is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas and support wildlife conservation. TSA, the largest Aquarium in Texas, cares for over 4,000 animals and has been named the #5 Best Aquarium in North America by USA Today. Learn more at texasstateaquarium.org.

Texas State Aquarium Contact:

Jennifer Vela
Chief Government Affairs and Marketing Officer
361.653.2655
[email protected]

Media Assets (Photos and B-roll): https://bit.ly/40IPqSj