Turtle hospital gets 9 cold-stunned turtles from Massachusetts

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center welcomed nine cold-stunned turtles from Massachusetts tonight.

This is the first group of cold-stunned turtles the hospital is getting for this season. Hospital Director Jean Beasley said the New England Aquarium is taking in large numbers of cold stunned turtles after a big drop in temperatures recently.

Beasley said the nine turtles flew into North Carolina and then, were transported to the hospital in Surf City this evening. Volunteers have been caring for them since they arrived. Beasley said they will be put in warm salt water at about 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Last year, the hospital took in record numbers of cold-stunned turtles from around the east coast. By the end of January, Beasley said they had 92 turtles.

Beasley said tomorrow the turtles will be named after characters from Harry Potter like Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore. Beasley names each group of turtles after a certain theme relevant to the time.