Sponsor the Care of Great Britain
By sponsoring the care of sea turtle Great Britain you'll be supporting the Sea Turtle Hospital and the work we do to research, rehab and release these amazing animals. Your sponsorship can provide Great Britain with important medical supplies, nutritious food, critical exams and other types of care provided while 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
- Advance notice of the turtle’s release (attendance at release not guaranteed)
You can even give a turtle sponsorship as a gift!
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.
Great Britain's Story
Meet Great Britain, one of the newest—and tiniest—patients at our Sea Turtle Hospital. This juvenile green sea turtle weighs just 1.8 kg (4 lbs) and was rescued on September 10th from Huguenot Memorial Park after becoming trapped in the jetty rocks as the tide was going out. Upon arrival, our animal care team identified two primary health concerns: mild fibropapillomatosis (FP), with small clusters of external tumors located in the inguinal (inner thigh) regions, and a caryospora infection, which is caused by a microscopic parasite that affects the intestines. Caryospora can lead to gastrointestinal upset, weight loss, dehydration, and general weakness. It is typically contracted through contaminated sand or seawater and can make recovery from other conditions more difficult.
Great Britain is currently on a course of antiparasitic medications, receiving one dose per week for six to eight weeks. She is also getting plenty of supportive care, including proper hydration, oral vitamins (cleverly hidden in seafood!), and a specially tailored diet to promote weight gain. Because caryospora can spread to other turtles, she is being housed in quarantine until the infection is resolved.
Despite these early challenges, Great Britain is thriving! She has a strong appetite and is already eating seafood well. She's even started enjoying her greens—especially the fresh sea lettuce we grow right here at the hospital. Once she completes her deworming treatment and has gained enough strength, we’ll begin planning the safe removal of her tumors.
Thank you so much for sponsoring Great Britain’s recovery. Your support is making a real difference in her journey back to health and, eventually, back to the wild where they belongs.