Coming to Term(s)

Approximately 340 individuals remain in the North Atlantic right whale population, but the number of reproductive females is far less. It’s estimated only about 70 of these individuals have the capacity to carry the next generation, if their body condition is even strong enough to sustain a pregnancy and carry to term.

As humans, we prep our bodies to carry a child and take precautions during pregnancy to remain healthy. However, many right whales start their motherhood journey with sustained trauma and injury from human-induced threats, like vessel collisions and fishing gear entanglement. Studies show these life-altering situations cause heightened levels of stress, lasting injuries and stunted growth for themselves as well as their future young.

In this critical gestation period where expectant mothers aim to nourish their body to benefit their unborn offspring, these whales already have the odds stacked against them.

Delivering Into Uncertainty

While we contemplate our many desires for labor and delivery in the months leading up to it, our whale counterparts have one main directive in mind: Make it to the calving grounds in time.

Every January, we take the opportunity to commemorate the turn of the clock through celebrations and reflection. A new year signals us to breathe in the crisp air of a fresh start. While you make your New Year’s resolutions, we challenge you to consider a few that support your health, your community and the world around you.

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA
Arrival Date: 12/15/23
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 14.88 kg (32.80 lbs)

Case History

This turtle is one of many that stranded up in the New England area due to cold stunning. New England Aquarium (NEAQ) treats hundreds of sea turtles during a just few months throughout the winter. This year we were able to take five of these turtles to help lighten their load, at least a little. This turtle originally stranded in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on December 8, 2023. We coordinated with NEAQ, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too to transfer these patients to the Aquarium. Pilot Andy Davidson and his wife Karie flew Romano, and the others, to Charleston on December 15!

Treatment

Romano is the largest of our cold stunned loggerhead sea turtles admitted. This patient’s body condition was a bit thin and the flippers had some minor abrasions, but Romano’s physical examination was overall decent. Luckily, the medical records from the New England Aquarium reported no significant findings in the diagnostic imaging results! Blood work was taken and revealed room for improvement though. Romano was given fluids, vitamins and antibiotics as initial treatment. Lastly, an ultrasound was done and showed that the patient had good GI movement and everything looked fairly normal. Romano was approved for a swim test in a full tank of water!

When first placed in the tank, this loggerhead was a bit stressed and looked slightly caudally (back end) buoyant. Romano had quite the long day, so this was not particularly surprising! After a few minutes, Romano took a deep breath and appeared less stressed. The patient’s pacing lessened and with additional exhalations, Romano levelled out in the water column. At the end of the day, Romano was crawling and resting at the bottom of the tank and was approved to stay in a full tank overnight!

Updates

December 20, 2023: The next day, Romano was alert in their tank, showing no signs of buoyancy issues or stress. A small amount of fish was offered to test the turtle’s appetite. Romano was very quick to investigate and recognize that we were offering food and ate it up with no problem! Romano has had small diet increases and will start getting oral vitamins soon!

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA
Arrival Date: 12/15/23
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 6.32 kg (13.9 lbs)

Case History

This turtle is one of many that stranded up in the New England area due to cold stunning. New England Aquarium (NEAQ) treats hundreds of sea turtles during a just few months throughout the winter. This year we were able to take five of these turtles to help lighten their load, at least a little. This turtle originally stranded in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on December 7, 2023. We coordinated with NEAQ, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too to transfer these patients to the Aquarium. Pilot Andy Davidson and his wife Karie flew Pecorino, and the others, to Charleston on December 15!

Treatment

Pecorino is the smallest of all of the cold stuns we received from NEAQ. On the intake exam staff was able to obtain a small blood sample, get an ultrasound, and administer antibiotics, fluids and vitamins. Like most cold stun patients, Pecorino was identified to have pneumonia. After having received all of the treatments, Pecorino was placed in a tank of water and did very well!

Updates

December 20, 2023: Pecorino showed no interest in eating for the first couple of days. Yesterday, we were able to identify that Pecorino prefers slightly larger pieces of fish and is now eating consistently! We also took a CT scan to identify the severity of the pneumonia. Based on our findings, we decided to start Pecorino on a second antibiotic to help resolve the pneumonia. Over the past couple of days, we observed that Pecorino was a little more stressed than we would have liked to see, so we covered the tank window to see if that would help — and it did! Pecorino is now exploring more of the tank and is calmer!

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA
Arrival Date: 12/15/23
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 6.41 kg (14.13 lbs)

Case History

This turtle is one of many that stranded up in the New England area due to cold stunning. New England Aquarium (NEAQ) treats hundreds of sea turtles during a just few months throughout the winter. This year we were able to take five of these turtles to help lighten their load, at least a little. This turtle originally stranded in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on December 1, 2023. We coordinated with NEAQ, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too to transfer these patients to the Aquarium. Pilot Andy Davidson and his wife Karie flew Monterey Jack, and the others, to Charleston on December 15!

Treatment

Monterey Jack was active and stable with a good heart rate and a healthy body temperature upon examination with our vet staff. The turtle’s overall physical condition looked decent with only a small ulcer on the left eye and a superficial abrasion towards the end of the carapace. Medical records from the NEAQ indicated that the turtle has mild pneumonia and our vet staff scheduled a CT scan to visualize the extent of it. Blood work was taken and it looked fairly good overall, followed by administering fluids, vitamins and antibiotics. Lastly, an ultrasound was done to look at the motility of the gut and make sure the GI tract was moving properly. After the medical exam was complete, Monterey Jack was approved for a swim test in a full tank of water.

Monterey Jack did great during the swim test! The little turtle showed full range of motion in all four flippers and swam levelly in the water column. After the initial first breath, Monterey Jack calmed down and swam along the tank bottom. By the end of the day, the patient was comfortably resting and able to stay in the full tank overnight!

Updates

December 20, 2023: Monterey Jack was active and alert the in the days following admit. A couple of pieces of fish were offered and this little loggerhead ate them up right away! Monterey Jack is settling into his/her new environment very well.

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA
Arrival Date: 12/15/23
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 12.09 kg (26.6 lbs)

Case History

This turtle is one of many that stranded up in the New England area due to cold stunning. New England Aquarium (NEAQ) treats hundreds of sea turtles during a just few months throughout the winter. This year we were able to take five of these turtles to help lighten their load, at least a little. This turtle originally stranded in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on November 29, 2023. We coordinated with NEAQ, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too to transfer these patients to the Aquarium. Pilot Andy Davidson and his wife Karie flew Fontina, and the others, to Charleston on December 15!

Treatment

Fontina is one of the two larger loggerhead sea turtles that we received from NEAQ. Upon arrival, the heart rate was strong which is always a good sign. Fontina was displaying big energy levels by not being very cooperative for treatments. However, this patient eventually allowed us to give antibiotics and fluids, take a blood sample, get a radiograph and do an ultrasound! Radiographs showed some bone density issues in the right radius and other imaging from NEAQ showed us that Fontina has a mild case of pneumonia. After all treatments were completed, this patient was placed in a tank. We were proud to see that Fontina had no trouble navigating the water column and was taking great breaths!

Updates

December 19, 2023: Fontina has had a busy first week with us! This patient continues to be monitored closely for any potential stiffness in the right front flipper from the bone density issues. So far, so good though! Fontina has a big appetite and is eating all offered food items. Hopefully we can start offering oral vitamins and maybe even enrichment soon!

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA
Arrival Date: 12/15/23
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 6.43 kg (14.15 lbs)

Case History

This turtle is one of many that stranded up in the New England area due to cold stunning. New England Aquarium (NEAQ) treats hundreds of sea turtles during a just few months throughout the winter. This year we were able to take five of these turtles to help lighten their load, at least a little. This turtle originally stranded in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on November 30, 2023. We coordinated with NEAQ, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too to transfer these patients to the Aquarium. Pilot Andy Davidson and his wife Karie flew Gruyere, and the others, to Charleston on December 15!

Treatment

Upon arrival at SCA, Gruyere was a model patient. S/he was alert, calm, had a strong heart rate, and was breathing often! Even though they were good breaths, we could tell that they sounded a little raspy. This was on par with the results of diagnostic imagining from NEAQ, indicating that this little loggerhead sea turtle had a severe case of pneumonia. Thankfully, the rest of Gruyere’s exam did not reveal any other major problems. After a blood sample, ultrasound, receiving antibiotics and fluids, Gruyere was placed in a full tank of water. To no surprise, this patient did very well and adjusted to this new temporary home quickly!

Updates

December 20th, 2023: During Gruyere’s first several days in the Sea Turtle Care Center™ we’ve made great strides. Gruyere has a big appetite and is eating everything we offer and is defecating regularly! The other day this little one received a CT scan that confirmed that the pneumonia is severe, but antibiotics should help clear this up. Check back in the new year for more progress reports on Gruyere!

The amount of waste entering our landfills and environment is a pervasive problem, but creative solutions make mitigating our impact a little more affordable, fun and sustainable for our busy lives. The holiday season only amplifies the waste we produce. Arming ourselves with a plan to creatively utilize the extra waste, we can rest, relax and enjoy our holidays to the fullest.

Learn more about our conservation programs and how you can get involved.