The unexpected, harsh winter storm that has hit Texas and other southern states in the US is having a huge impact on wildlife in the area. The drop in temperatures have left sea turtles stunned— they are unable to swim or feed themselves. Texans have taken it upon themselves to rescue the turtles.
Residents have been taking the turtles in their cars to a convention centre in South Texas resort on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Most Texans currently lack heat or amenities like water due to power outages due to extreme cold weather.
Ed Caum, executive director of the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau said, “Every 15 minutes or less there's another truck or SUV that pulls up.” “We had trailers full yesterday coming in that had 80, 100, 50,” he added. The convention centre too has been without power or water utility, but power returned on Wednesday morning. They, however, opened up their doors to the cold-stunned creature after their neighbour, Sea Turtle Inc, became overwhelmed with the numbers being brought in. Several of the turtles are reported to be over 100 years old and weighing an average of 300 pounds. With another cold wave expected, it isn’t clear when the turtles can be sent back to the sea. So far, 3,500 turtles have been brought to the centre.
