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University of Florida
Holiday Sponsorship Dates!

Until December 17 - Sponsorships will be emailed or mailed based on your preference

Beginning December 18 - Sponsorships will only be emailed

Beginning December 22 - Sponsorships made December 22-31 will be sent (email or mail) January 5, 2026

Sponsor the Care of a Turtle

Turtle being cared for by Sea Turtle Hospital staff

The Sea Turtle Hospital at the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory is helping to conserve threatened Northeast Florida sea turtles by providing rehabilitation, research, and education.

You can join us to support the Sea Turtle Hospital by sponsoring the care of one of our current hospital patients! We value and rely on community support, so each sponsorship is greatly appreciated.

By donating, you’ll support our work to rehab and release these fantastic animals. Your sponsorship can provide them with necessary medical supplies, nutritious food, critical exams, and care at the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Suggested amount to sponsor the care of a turtle is $50. We appreciate gifts above $50 as well.

For joining us, you'll receive:

  • A personalized certificate and choice to have it mailed to your home or emailed
  • A monthly email update (for those who sponsor individual patients)
  • Advance notice of the turtle’s release (attendance at release not guaranteed)

You can even give a turtle sponsorship as a gift!

Sponsor a Turtle Certificate Example

Please allow 2 weeks for mailed certificate to arrive. Emailed certificates sent within 3-4 business days. 

For questions about sponsoring, please contact wlmb@whitney.ufl.edu.

Support Sea Turtle Care

Sponsor a Turtle

Turtles Available for Sponsoring

Turtle in rehab tank
Peter Island
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Turtle swimming in tank
General - Sponsor the Care of our Turtles
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Turtle on exam table
Great Britain
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Sea turtle in tank
Maui
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Released 'Sponsor a Turtle' Patients

Koh Samui

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

Tahiti & Skyros

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

Fort George

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

Buckeye & Culebra

Buckeye and Culebra were released May 30 at Apollo Beach on Canaveral National Seashore

Charles Island

Charles Island and Kuffeklubben were part of this year’s cold stun event in Northeast Florida.

Adrift

Adrift was released at River to Sea Preserve (Marineland Beach), directly across the street from Whitney Laboratory.

Baywatch,Goldfinger & Birdcage

During complete patient veterinary exams with Dr. Brooke, some of the Sea Turtle Hospital's fan favorites were all cleared for release.

Aquamarine

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

Biodome & Hook

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Biodome and Hook returned to their ocean home during a public turtle release on May 31.

Zero & Luca

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Zero and Luca returned to their ocean home on April 17. They were released at Marineland Beach.

Mr. Smee

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Mr. Smee returned to their ocean home on March 14. They were released at Marineland Beach.

Pegasus

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

Hei Hei

One of the Sea Turtle Hospital's fan favorites with his/her goofy personality returned to their ocean home on November 30.

Abu

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Abu received their swimming papers and had a private release on September 28.

Yzma

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Yzma received her swimming papers and was released on August 31 by Sea Turtle Hospital Veterinarian Dr. Brooke.

Colonel

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Colonel received her swimming papers and had a private release on July 20 at Toronita Avenue Beach Park.

Rajah

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Rajah received their swimming papers and was released June 21 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk.

Yardstick

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Yardstick received their swimming papers and was released March 30 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk.

Rocket Power

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

Union & Rafter

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

Allen Wrench & Engineer

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Allen Wrench and Engineer received their swimming papers and were released on September 27.

Artichoke & Granny Smith

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Artichoke and Granny Smith received their swimming papers and were released at River to Sea Preserve on July 14.

Kiwi

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Kiwi was released at Washington Oaks State Park on December 9.

Grape

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Grape was released at Marineland Beach, directly across the street from Whitney Lab on November 18.

Asparagus

We are excited to announce that we will release Asparagus on Tuesday, July 20 at 12 p.m. at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk.

Sea Turtle Hospital Logo