20 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Re­cov­ering in Beaufort

BEAUFORT -- More than 20 cold-stunned sea turtles are now recovering in Beaufort. 

The turtles arrived in North Carolina from the New England Aquarium yesterday and were examined by the NC State Center for Marine Science before heading to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. 

Volunteers at the Topsail Beach-based center say most sea turtles know when they should start searching for warmer waters. 

But when the temperature drops quickly, some turtles miss their cue. 

However, once the turtles are nursed back to health they will be set free. 

"Hopefully most of these, if not all, we'll be able to release right off our beaches here on Topsail Island,” said Jean Beasley, Executive Director of KBSTRRC.   

The turtles are expected to remain at the hospital until late spring. 

In the spirit of keeping the force, the turtles received Star Wars-themed names.