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The Florida Aquarium Reaches Capacity with Endangered Sea Turtle Rescues

Sea turtle at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at the Florida Aquarium.

February 27, 2025

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Apollo Beach, FL (February 27, 2025) – The Florida Aquarium is facing an unprecedented challenge as record numbers of cold-stressed sea turtles arrive at its Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach. With 18 new turtles arriving Wednesday, it brings the total to 56 turtles under critical care at the center—the highest number at one time. The Aquarium is now at full capacity as frigid water temperatures continue to threaten endangered sea turtles along Florida’s east coast.

On Wednesday, the Aquarium also released two rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, which were rescued in New England, to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This milestone highlights the dedication and success of the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center’s efforts.

***CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY
VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE TURTLE TRANSFER, TURTLE INTAKE
& SOUND WITH THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM***
Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium
“This is one of the earliest and most severe cold-stress events we’ve ever seen,” said Dr. Debi Luke, Senior Vice President of Conservation at The Florida Aquarium. “We usually see strandings peak between late February and April, but we’re already at full capacity, and more turtles are continuing to struggle.”
When water temperatures drop into the low 50s, sea turtles become lethargic and float to the surface leaving them vulnerable to predators and possibly stranding on shore. This winter alone, The Florida Aquarium has taken in 49 cold-stressed turtles, a number that could continue to rise as chilly conditions persist. Sea turtle rehabilitation centers across the state are at or near capacity, forcing difficult decisions about which turtles receive care.
Financial Help is Essential to Saving Sea Turtles
The cost of rehabilitating a single sea turtle can reach $15,000, with some patients requiring months to a year of intensive care. At The Florida Aquarium, each sea turtle receives comprehensive medical care—comparable to critical care for people and pets—including examinations, x-rays, blood work, ongoing treatments and medications throughout their stay. Although the federal Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act has bipartisan support in the House and is expected in the Senate, there are currently no government funding programs available to offset the costs for caring for these endangered animals, leaving facilities like The Florida Aquarium reliant on donations and community support.
How the Public Can Help
With rehabilitation centers across Florida at or near capacity, additional funding and legislative support are critical to ensuring that no sea turtle is left untreated. The public can help by:
  • Visiting The Florida Aquarium or becoming an annual member. A portion of every ticket sold goes toward sea turtle rehabilitation efforts.
  • Donating directly to The Florida Aquarium’s sea turtle conservation efforts.
  • Advocating for increased funding and policy changes to protect endangered sea turtles.
  • Reporting stranded or distressed sea turtles to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.

“The reality is sea turtle bed space, and finances are maxed out,” added Dr. Luke. “We need the public’s help now more than ever.”

To support The Florida Aquarium’s sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts, click here.
To note: All sea turtle rehabilitation work conducted by The Florida Aquarium is done with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles and authorized under conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-25-179.
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