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The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is celebrating the conclusion of cold-stun season after the release of sea turtle patients received this past winter.

On May 7 and May 23, long-term patients received during the record-breaking cold-stunning event were cleared from the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center – better known as the S.T.A.R. Center – and released offshore into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream and into the Croatan Sound. Staff and volunteers joyfully participated in the releases, which marked the success of months-long, life-saving rehabilitation for seven sea turtles that until lately called the S.T.A.R. Center home. The aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The released sea turtles, nicknamed Teacup, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Big Top, Spar, Cheesecake, Hot Tamale and Forrest, were all long-term patients being treated for various conditions related to cold-stunning, including kidney failure, frostbite, an eye injury, low weight, barnacles and swelling.

Only one cold-stunned sea turtle, Atlas, is now awaiting veterinary approval for release after treatment for severe frostbite on its spinal cord. Atlas has been receiving care at the aquarium since Dec. 23, 2024.

From December 2024 through March 2025, the aquarium received nearly 800 sea turtles in an environmental winter event known as cold-stunning in which sea turtles are stranded in a hypothermia-like state. Breaking records from previous winters, the stranded cold-stunned sea turtles were rescued and brought to the aquarium to receive life-saving care at the S.T.A.R. Center by multiple teams across the Outer Banks, including volunteers from the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T).

Christian Legner, aquarium associate director and director of husbandry and operations said, “The Aquarium’s long-term partnership with N.E.S.T. was highlighted this year with a record cold-stun season. Thanks to the incredible teamwork of every organization and agency involved, turtles were rescued, healed, and returned to the wild. We’re fortunate to be supported by N.E.S.T., Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, and local charter captains, so we can share these amazing conservation stories.”

Through a sophisticated emergency incident command structure tailored to the aquarium’s unique needs, staff and volunteers throughout the aquarium stepped up throughout this winter event to provide unprecedented assistance and support, as emergency triage for the vast numbers of sea turtles quickly spread into the aquarium’s public areas, closing multiple exhibits and outdoor bathrooms for weeks. The rescued sea turtles were greens, as well as Kemp’s ridley and loggerheads, which cannot be housed together, leading to additional space requirements. A few sea turtles exceeded 200 pounds.

Regarding the turtles needing to be separated, the “Kemp’s ridley and loggerheads are known to bite other turtles. Because their jaws are built for crushing shells, a bite to another turtle would be very serious,” stated Sallie Bowman, NCARI’s communications manager. “In terms of sharing a tank, it’s possible only if a barrier is placed between them to keep them completely separated.”

After transferring some sea turtles to other facilities, the aquarium has rehabilitated and released more than 600 cold-stunned sea turtles since December 2024.

Leslie Vegas, the aquarium’s husbandry curator said, “I cannot emphasize enough how proud I am to work with everyone at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. I want to give a special acknowledgement to the animal care staff that came together beautifully to assist. I am so grateful to all staff, volunteers, and partners for helping us with this event. We couldn’t have made such a broad impact on conservation, education, and rehabilitation without all these pieces coming together.”

In celebration of the conclusion of this monumental event, the aquarium is celebrating World Sea Turtle Day on Monday, June 16 with a day of special sea turtle-themed programming, crafts and talks with sea turtle experts and rescuers. Additionally, the S.T.A.R. Center, dedicated in June 2014, will celebrate its 11th anniversary. The public is invited to join the aquarium’s celebration of sea turtles as staff and volunteers are commended for their heroic efforts, teamwork and dedication to sea turtle conservation.

Founded in 1976, the aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, go to ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.

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