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Cold weather is having a devastating effect on sea turtles in Tampa Bay.
And because of that the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is asking for help to nurse the animals back to health.
Turtles are coming in cold-stunned. When the temperature drops below 50 degrees for several days, the cold-blooded reptiles' circulatory systems slow. They cannot swim and can be injured by passing boats or can contract "pink tumors"from a virus, WTVT reported.
To treat them, staff at the aquarium are using vitamin and dietary supplements, caring for their injuries and monitoring heart rates.
According to the aquarium's online fundraiser page, it costs $300 a day to rehabilitate each turtle. Staff is reaching out, trying to raise $25,000 to help get the turtles well enough to be released.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium gained national attention when it rehabilitated a dolphin who lost her tail after being snagged in a crab trap rope. Named Winter, the dolphin's story was made into a feature film "Dolphin Tale."
