Fourth Sea Turtle Beaches in East Sandwich
— 11 November 2000
This evening the fourth Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was found cold stunned in
East Sandwich. The small 1.2 kilogram juvenile was wedged in rocks,
apparently driven ashore by a stormy northeasterly breeze. Water
temperatures in the area were recorded around 50°F. Her tiny size more
closely matches expectations for early sea turtle strandings.
After routine processing at the Sanctuary, algae encrustation was gently carded off her carapace.
We checked her flippers for identifying wires and also checked her for PIT tags. Neither was found.
 
A careful examination showed scrapes on her carapace and some minor bleeding on her left marginals from
the beating she took when tossed ashore on the rocks. An unusual discoloration on the front of her right flipper
was also noted. All in all, though, she seemed quite lively and much more comfortable resting on soft towels
in Wellfleet Bay’s recovery room.
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