Cold-stun season for sea turtles is here and in full swing. The Riverhead Foundation picked up two sea turtles over the weekend and have rescue teams responding to two more as of 1 pm today. “I received an e-mail about your organization and what to do in the event you find a cold-stunned sea turtle; don’t touch it or try to warm it up, but call the Riverhead Foundation’s Rescue Hotline, (631) 369-9829. So that’s what we did” stated Joe Tyree, a Southampton Town Resident who found the first sea turtle.

“Cold-stunning can be fatal to sea turtles if not found and treated early enough. When a cold-stunned sea turtle is found, proper care is needed immediately. We train patrollers to walk the beaches regularly and call us regardless of what is or is not found.” stated Robert DiGiovanni, Jr., the Foundation Director/Senior Biologist. “Our long-term goal is to fill the gaps on unmonitored beaches with citizen scientists who report back all data, both positive and negative. We want to get that message across as well, so we understand the full scope of what’s going on.”

After two hours of working with each animal, both were unresponsive and could not be revived. Tests and a necropsy will be done to determine the cause of death. “Sometimes animals are past the point of recovery by the time they wash ashore,” stated Kimberly Durham, Rescue Program Director. “Necropsies are a form of research that provide us with important information about what could be occurring in our ocean backyard. It’s important to cover all areas and get key information from the animals who don’t survive meanwhile saving the ones we can.”

“We are calling on the public for their continued support, if you receive our e-mails, please pass them along to friends and family, if you don’t, please subscribe at volunteers@riverheadfoundation.org for important updates about cold-stunned sea turtles and other marine mammals. Even a tax-deductible donation at this time of the year would be greatly appreciated,” stated DiGiovanni.

For information about the Riverhead Foundation, to adopt an animal or to become a member, please visit us on the web at www.riverheadfoundation.org, or call us at 631-369-9840.