Georgia Sea Turtle Center officials say eight of the injured reptiles from Georgia and Florida are receiving medical care at its Jekyll Island facility.

Rehabilitation coordinator Michelle Kaylor says the turtles arrived over the past five days and eight is an unusually high number of turtles to arrive at the center in such a short period of time.

The newspaper reports temperature changes, red tides and algae blooms are some of the leading causes of turtles becoming stranded or sick.

Kaylor says the turtles are suffering from barnacles, algae, and worms becoming attached to their shells and some have shown blood abnormalities.

Tags: Jekyll Island, sea turtles, Georgia Sea Turtle Center