Sea Turtle Hospital News

Sea Turtle Hospital Patients Kaffeklubben and Charles Island Released

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.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient Adrift Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Adrift returned to their ocean home on February 3. They were released at River to Sea Preserve (Marineland Beach), directly across the street from the Whitney Laboratory.

Sponsor the Care of our Winter Turtles

This time of year can be particularly challenging for our flippered friends. Cold air temperatures and offshore winds often push weakened sea turtles ashore.

Epibiosis by Florida Crown Conch on Green Sea Turtles in a Northern Florida Estuary

We report the first observations of Melongena corona (Florida Crown Conch) as an epibiont attached to the carapace of juvenile Chelonia mydas (Green Sea Turtle).

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient Releases

During complete veterinary exams with Dr. Brooke, we announced that 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.

Hitchhiking bryozoans on sea turtles from southeastern United States to Honduras

Congratulations to Sea Turtle Hospital Program Manager Cat Eastman and colleagues who published an article in Bulletin of Marine Science - "Hitchhiking bryozoans (Gymnolaemata) on sea turtles (Cheloniidae) from southeastern United States to Honduras".

Support the Sea Turtle Hospital - Adopt a Washback Sea Turtle until October 31

Thank you to all who have joined us to support washback sea turtles cared for by the Sea Turtle Hospital staff each year by Adopting a Washback, each symbolically named! We are getting closer to our goal, and adoptions are only available until October 31, so don't delay!

Adopt a Washback Sea Turtle!

Join the Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Laboratory to help support hundreds of washback turtles cared for by hospital staff each season by symbolically adopting a washback this fall, named* by you! When a gift of $20 or more is made to support the Sea Turtle Hospital, you will receive an email with your personalized washback adoption certificate.

Sea Turtle Patient Aquamarine Released

Ahead of Hurricane Milton a staff favorite and one of our sponsorship patients Aquamarine was released at Butler Beach.

Dr. Brooke Burkhalter presents at Sea Turtle Medicine Workshop

This workshop allowed a platform for veterinary care professionals to gather and discuss the daily struggles and successes of sea turtle medicine. Licensed DVM’s, certified veterinary technicians, and rehab staff across the southeast network joined to workshop challenges, techniques, and new solutions in sea turtle medicine. 

A Call for Action Sea Turtle Hospital Endowment Launch

A new endowment has been launched to support the conservation of sea turtles by sustaining operations at the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory.

Sea Turtle Hospital Welcomes Fall Intern Jori Geib

Welcome to our newest team member fall intern, Jori Geib!

June 16 - Sea Turtle Hospital at Florida Museum's World Sea Turtle Day Celebration

Join the Sea Turtle at UF Whitney Laboratory as they celebrate World Sea Turtle Day at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida on June 16!

Sea Turtle Patients Biodome and Hook Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Biodome and Hook returned to their ocean home during a public turtle release on May 31. They were released at River to Sea Preserve (Marineland Beach), directly across the street from the Whitney Laboratory.

Sea Turtle Hospital Welcomes Summer Intern Soleil Von Hausch

Welcome to our newest team member summer intern, Soleil Von Hausch!

Sea Turtle Hospital Patients Zero and Luca Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Zero and Luca returned to their ocean home on April 17. They were released at Marineland Beach, directly across the street from the Whitney Laboratory. 

Devon Ramia Wins UF Sustained Excellence award

At the University of Florida 2024 Superior Accomplishment Awards on April 10th, 20 staff and faculty members from across the University of Florida were recognized including Whitney Laboratory Sea Turtle Hospital Manager Devon Ramia.

Devon Ramia Presents at Florida Marine Turtle Permit Holder Meeting

Sea Turtle Hospital Manager Devon Ramia recently presented at the 27th Annual Florida Marine Turtle Permit Holder Meeting. The annual meeting assembles over 300 people from around Florida that work in sea turtle conservation and research.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient Mr. Smee Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Mr. Smee returned to their ocean home on March 14. They were released at Marineland Beach, directly across the street from the Whitney Laboratory. The stars were aligned perfectly this past Tuesday, with a beautiful day and calm seas. The perfect conditions for a last-minute release of our beloved Mr. Smee.

Sea Turtle Hospital Summer Internship Application Deadline March 1

The internship at The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab is designed to be a career learning experience. Interns will gain first-hand experience in data collection, sanitation procedures, food preparation, and sea turtle husbandry.

Whitney Lab Sea Turtle Hospital's Devon Ramia Awarded UF Superior Accomplishment Award

Congratulations to Sea Turtle Hospital Manager Devon Ramia for being nominated and selected through a very keen year of competition as a Superior Accomplishment Awardee by the University of Florida!

Sea Turtle Hospital Welcomes Winter Intern Gracie Harris

Welcome to our newest team member winter intern, Gracie Harris! Gracie is a St. Augustine native who discovered her love for the ocean very early in life.

Sea Turtle Pegasus Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Pegasus returned to their ocean home on January 4 and had a private release at Ormond Beach, Florida. Sponsor families and friends were invited to attend.

Sea Turtle Hospital in USA Today

Some species are at risk because of climate change and a decline in wild spaces. But what's next for those species? Veterinarians and staff at the Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience in St. Augustine, Florida, are trying to answer that question.

Sea Turtle Hei Hei Released

One of the Sea Turtle Hospital's fan favorites with his/her goofy personality returned to their ocean home on November 30. Sea Turtle Hospital patient Hei Hei received their swimming papers after six months of care and had a private release at Toronita Ave Beach Park in Wilbur by the Sea, Florida. Sponsor families and friends were able to attend.

Support the Sea Turtle Hospital - Adopt a Washback Sea Turtle Until November 1!

Thank you to all who have joined us to support washback sea turtles cared for by the Sea Turtle Hospital staff each year by Adopting a Washback, each symbolically named! We are getting closer to our goal, and adoptions are only available until Wednesday, November 1, so don't delay! 

Sea Turtle Hospital Celebrates 8 Years!

Happy 8th Anniversary of Saving Sea Turtles! Thank you for the steadfast support of all our guests, volunteers, interns, donors, followers, friends, family, and wonderful staff both past and present. The Sea Turtle Hospital's anniversary on October 24 was the same day as Taste of the Fun Coast, the foodie event at Hammock Beach Spa and Resort, that benefitted the Sea Turtle Hospital again this year.

Join us October 27 to Celebrate the Sea Turtle Hospital's 8th Anniversary!

This year we would like to invite you to celebrate the Sea Turtle Hospital's 8th anniversary at our pop-up open house at the Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab on Friday, October 27 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Adopt a Washback Sea Turtle!

Join the Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Laboratory to help support hundreds of washback turtles cared for by hospital staff each season by symbolically adopting a washback this fall, named* by you! When a gift of $20 or more is made to support the Sea Turtle Hospital, you will receive an email with your personalized washback adoption certificate.

Sea Turtle Hospital Welcomes Fall Intern Morgan Flanagan

Welcome to our newest team member, Morgan Flanagan! She’s a familiar face at the Sea Turtle Hospital as she’s been volunteering in the hospital's husbandry department since early spring 2023. She now joins the Sea Turtle Hospital team as the fall intern.

Sea Turtle Abu Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Abu received their swimming papers and had a private release on September 28 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida.

Catherine Eastman Quoted in National Geographic

Sea Turtle Hospital Program Manager Catherine Eastman was recently quoted in the National Geographic Story - Meet the dog who can find rare sea turtle nests at a shocking success rate. The terrier had a keen nose for turtles, identifying 560 turtle nests from three species.

Sea Turtle Yzma Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Yzma received her swimming papers and was released on August 31 by Sea Turtle Hospital Veterinarian Dr. Brooke. Yzma had been cared for by Sea Turtle Hospital staff since April 2023.

Sea Turtle Colonel Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Colonel received her swimming papers and had a private release on July 20 at Toronita Avenue Beach Park in Wilbur-By-The-Sea, Florida. 

Sea Turtles Zip-Tie and Bulldozer Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Zip-Tie and Bulldozer received their swimming papers and were released July 19 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida.

Sea Turtle Rajah Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Rajah received their swimming papers and was released June 21 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida.

Catherine Eastman presents to the Jacksonville Herpetological Society

Sea Turtle Program Manager Catherine Eastman presented about the Sea Turtle Hospital rehabilitation and Dr. David Duffy’s research to the Jacksonville Herpetological Society at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).

Sea Turtle Hospital Awarded Grant From Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program to Support Critical Surgical Equipment

The University of Florida Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory is pleased to announce that it received a grant from the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program, which is funded by the sales of the sea turtle specialty license plate. The Sea Turtle Hospital received the grant Critical Surgical Equipment for Intensive Care, enabling the Hospital to purchase a much needed oxygen concentrator and ventilator to aid in surgical procedures. 

Join us June 16 to Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day!

This year we would like to invite you to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day during our pop up open house at the Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab on Friday, June 16 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Sea Turtle Hospital Welcomes Summer Intern Lilli Longo

Please welcome Lilli Longo to Whitney Laboratory! She recently joined the Sea Turtle Hospital as the summer intern.

ZDF Hannes Jaenicke Documentary featuring the Sea Turtle Hospital Released

The award-winning ZDF documentary series with actor, animal advocate and environmentalist Hannes Jaenicke released their latest documentary featuring the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory showcasing staff, fibropapilloma (FP) research, and hospital patients.

Leah Adelmann Joins the Sea Turtle Hospital Staff

Please welcome Leah Adelmann to Whitney Laboratory staff as the Sea Turtle Hospital's Animal Care Technician.

Sea Turtle Yardstick Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Yardstick received their swimming papers and was released March 30 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida.

Sea Turtle Rocket Power Released

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Rocket Power received their swimming papers and was released February 2 on Ormond Beach!

Sea Turtle Hospital Welcomes Winter Intern Harrison Hobbs

Please welcome Harrison Hobbs to Whitney Laboratory! He recently joined the Sea Turtle Hospital as the winter intern.

Sea Turtles Union and Rafter Released

Rafter and Union marked a total of 66 animals the Sea Turtle Hospital has released since opening in October 2015.

Sponsor the Care of a Turtle on Earth Day!

Want to make a difference? You can sponsor some of our current Sea Turtle Hospital patients! Your sponsorship goes directly into the care of your selected patient. Help make a difference today on this very special Earth Day!

Sea Turtle Pesto Released March 22

Sea Turtle Hospital patient "Pesto" was released at Marineland Beach on March 22, 2022. Pesto had been in our care since May 2021, after arriving from New Smyrna.

Sea Turtle Hospital at Turtle Fest April 2

The Sea Turtle Hospital team will be shellebrating at Turtle Fest in support of the Volusia Turtle Patrol this Saturday. Stop by and help them gear up for nesting season!

Cat Eastman Presents at Sea Turtles and Microplastics Lunch and Learn Webinar Feb. 22

Join Catherine Eastman, Sea Turtle Hospital Program Manager, for a Sea Turtles and Microplastics Lunch and Learn Webinar on February 22 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Learn why microplastics are a hazard for sea turtles and what you can do to help.

Sea Turtle Avocado Released January 4

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Avocado received her swimming papers and was released at Gamble Rogers State Park in Flagler County on January 4.