Recent Sea Turtle Releases

Turtle swimming in tank

Koh Samui

Koh Samui was released at Tom Renick Park in Ormond Beach.

Turtle being released, turtle in hospital

Tahiti and Skyros

Tahiti was released in South Ponte Vedra and Skyros at Ormond by the Sea.

Sea Turtle release

Fort George

Fort George was released July 1 on the beach in South Ponte Vedra.

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

Staff performing surgery on turtle
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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Sea Turtle patient Rafter in tank
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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Child looking at turtle
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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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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Want to get Involved?

Veterinarian examining Sea Turtle Hospital patient
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Sea Turtle Behavioral Enrichment
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STAY IN TOUCH
Sea Turtle receiving food in tank
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VOLUNTEER

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.

  • Turtle Tanks
  • Critical Surgical Equipment
  • Sea Turtle Transport Vehicle
  • Onsite X-Ray Equipment
  • Endoscopy Equipment
  • Improved FP Classification System
  • Modular, Mobile Sea Turtle Exhibition

 

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

Karen Romas, 904-201-8401 or kromas@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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