Recent Sea Turtle Releases

Women on beach releasing turtles

Kaffeklubben and Charles Island

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Kaffeklubben and Charles Island returned to their ocean home on April 15 at Marineland Beach, directly across the street from the Whitney Laboratory. These turtles were part of this year’s cold stun event in Northeast Florida. 

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Man releasing sea turtle at beach

Adrift

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Adrift returned to their ocean home on February 3 surrounded by a few of Adrift’s sponsor families, hospital staff, and dedicated volunteers. They were released at River to Sea Preserve (Marineland Beach), directly across the street from the Whitney Laboratory.

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Turtles being released back to the ocean

Baywatch, Goldfinger, and Birdcage

During complete patient veterinary exams with Dr. Brooke, some of the Sea Turtle Hospital's fan favorites — Baywatch, Goldfinger, and Birdcage — were all cleared for release after receiving a clean bill of health.

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The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Laboratory

Woman holding turtle

The Sea Turtle Hospital opened in October 2015 to provide rehabilitation, education and research for sea turtle conservation in Northeast Florida. The hospital rehabilitates sick and injured sea turtles, and, once healthy and cleared by the veterinarian, releases them back to their habitat. Since opening, the hospital has rehabilitated and released 78 sick or injured sea turtles, and rescued and released 1,524 washback hatchlings.

IF YOU SEE A TURTLE ON THE BEACH OR STRUGGLING IN THE SURF, PLEASE CALL THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION AT 1-888-404-3922.

The Sea Turtle Hospital has Three Key Goals

REHABILITATION - The specialist team at the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab provides excellent medical treatment to rehabilitate debilitated and injured sea turtles, and can also treat turtles afflicted by fibropapillomatosis.
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RESEARCH - The Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab is equipped to house, treat and study turtles with viral tumor disease fibropapillomatosis.
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EDUCATION - Educational programs provide an overview of the research and rehabilitation work happening at the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab.
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9

Released

Sea Turtle Released in 2024

199

Intakes

Triaged or treated sea turtles in 2024

243

Hatchlings/Post-Hatchlings

Treated hatchlings and post-hatchlings in 2024

In the News

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Sea Turtle Grants Program

Sea Turtle License Plate

Thank you for helping establish our Surgery Suite and its continued support of the hospital’s programs and projects.

 

Contact Us

Meet Our Team Sea Turtle Hospital Staff
More Information

Catherine Eastman, Sea Turtle Program Manager, 904-201-8414 or cbeastman@whitney.ufl.edu

Donation Information

Ellie Padgett, Assistant Director of Development, 904-201-8471 or elliepadgett@whitney.ufl.edu

Media Inquiries We welcome media inquiries, please use the contact info here.

 

Support the Hospital

Support Whitney Lab’s operations of the rehabilitation and research facility for Sea Turtles impacted by fibropapilloma in the North Florida region.

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