The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
The University of Florida Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory is pleased to announce that it received a grant starting in May for $16,695 from the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program, which is funded by the sales of the sea turtle specialty license plate. The Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory received the grant to support the implementation of onsite X-ray diagnostics to improve patient safety and care by eliminating multiple transports previously required to a veterinary office more than 30 minutes away. This equipment will be essential for the evaluation and treatment of more than 45 critical case sea turtles that we care for each year with Fibropapillomatosis and other critical impacts.
The Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory was chosen for the award through a competitive application process that is open to coastal county governments, educational institutions and Florida-based nonprofit groups striving to improve the livelihood of sea turtles and conserve Florida habitats.
Launched in 1996, the "Helping Sea Turtles Survive" specialty license plate raises money for two important programs that benefit Florida sea turtles—the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Turtle Protection Program and the Sea Turtle Grants Program, which distributes money back to the local level for turtle conservation projects.
"It's rewarding to know that so many people share our concern for Florida's sea turtles," said David Godfrey, Sea Turtle Conservancy executive director. "What we do in this state has a dramatic impact on sea turtle populations around the world. By purchasing the sea turtle specialty plate, Floridians are voluntarily funding important programs to save these amazing creatures."
To learn more about the Sea Turtle Grants Program and the "Helping Sea Turtles Survive" specialty license plate, visit www.helpingseaturtles.org.