The remaining six were rushed to CMA for rehabilitation. Sea turtles are reptiles, and lack many of the temperature - regulating mechanisms found in humans. They simply float on the surface and eventually die or wash up onto shore. It's at this point that the CMA Stranding Team responds and begins the process of rehabilitation. This results in a severe chemical imbalance in the animal's bloodstream.
Many sea turtles recover completely in about one week.
Long - term survival depends on the length of exposure and extent of the animal's other injuries. Some of the green sea turtles are suffering from fibropapilloma virus. This virus primarily affects green sea turtles by forming tumors on their soft tissues. These tumors can impair the sea turtle's vision, swimming and feeding ability. The condition of the sea turtles rescued by CMA range from critical to guarded.