Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Rescued by Texas Game Wardens

When Texas gets hit with an unexpected cold snap like the one we had last week, it’s not just people who struggle. Apparently, sea turtles do, too.

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And when the ocean gets too cold too fast, these turtles can’t move, making them easy targets for predators or leaving them stranded onshore. That’s where Texas Game Wardens step in, working long hours to rescue as many as they can.

Sea turtles, especially the green sea turtles that live in the Gulf, can’t handle sudden drops in temperature. When the water gets too cold, their bodies basically shut down, leaving them floating helplessly in the waves or washed up on the beach. If no one helps them, they can starve, get eaten by predators, or die from exposure.

But Texas Game Wardens aren’t about to let that happen. They patrol the coastline, pulling stunned turtles from the water and rushing them to special care centers. There, the turtles slowly warm up and get the help they need before being released back into the wild.    

This rescue mission is just one of the many things game wardens do to protect both people and wildlife. They make sure Texas stays a safe place for hunting and fishing, but they also look out for animals in danger. Because keeping Texas wild and full of life is part of their job. And thanks to their hard work, future generations will still get to see sea turtles swimming in Texas waters instead of just reading about them in books.