Stranded turtles rescued and flown to warmer water

On December 26, 2025, multiple wildlife organizations collaborated to rescue dozens of sea turtles stranded in frigid Cape Cod waters. The turtles, suffering from "cold-stunning" due to dropping water temperatures, were found unable to swim and at risk of death. Rescuers from the New England Aquarium, Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and other groups worked quickly to transport the turtles to a rehabilitation facility in Florida. The animals were flown on a dedicated transport plane to warmer waters in Clearwater, Florida, where they will receive medical care before being released back into the ocean. This rescue operation is part of an annual effort when sea turtles become trapped in Cape Cod Bay as water temperatures drop below their survival threshold.