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© REUTERS/Hugh GentryMore than 130 sea turtles were rescued during threatening winter storm conditions hitting the Florida Panhandle, according to wildlife experts
Endangered and threatened sea turtles are reeling after winter storms ravaged the Florida Panhandle, causing more than a dozen deaths, The Miami Herald reports.

Over 130 sea turtles were rescued Thursday and Friday, as freezing rain and low tides posed serious threats to local wildlife, FWC wildlife biologist Alley Foley said. Marine mammals including dolphins and manatees can not warm themselves during these adverse conditions, with sea turtles suffering from hypothermia-like conditions.

"When it comes to wildlife, it seems the turtles had the most trouble," Foley said.

Many turtles found were green sea turtles. They will be taken to the Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach and are expected to be released sometime this week after treatment.

The weather, which covered much of the Florida Panhandle with ice and snow and dropped water temperatures to as low as 37 degrees, was also an issue for rescue workers attempting to get to the struggling animals.

"With all the bridges being closed, we were not able to do what we really needed to do," Nicholas told The Pensacola News Journal. "Time is of the essence."

Dead lady fish, sea urchins and horseshoe crabs were also found in the water while rescuers searched for turtles, according to Foley.

Five pelicans were among the rescued animals brought in and treated for hypothermia, but wildlife sanctuary workers worry that some birds may have not survived the event.

"We've not gotten anything today, and that's a little worrisome," Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida Director Dorothy Kaufman said.

"Usually a lot of the migratory birds, sea and shore birds will have a situation with the cold front and will get in a compromised state," she said.

Kaufman added that the sanctuary is prepared to take in all birds and wildlife suffering from the stormy conditions.

"We have a higher food source, caging and heat lamps," Kaufman said.

Despite the concerns, Foley categorizes the event as mild.

"A moderate event would be many hundreds of sea turtles," he said.

Source: The Pensacola News Journal