The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab

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The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab

The University of Florida Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory is the only sea turtle rehabilitation facility located in northeast Florida.

09/19/2026

🐢🌊 THEY’RE HERE! 🌊🐢

Today, our hospital admitted our first post-hatchling of the 2026 season!

So, what exactly is a post-hatchling? These are tiny sea turtles that have recently left the nest and are beginning their journey into the ocean. They are several days to several months old, they are incredibly vulnerable, and often exhausted from their first days of life at sea. Onshore winds and strong currents will push these tiny ocean travelers back onshore and they are too weak to swim. When they wash ashore, they need immediate medical attention and specialized care.

If you find a post-hatchling sea turtle on our beaches, please contact FWCC immediately at 888-404-3922.

Our hatchling and post-hatchling drop-off station is located outside the new building at the east entrance.

🚨 IMPORTANT: Never transport a post-hatchling in water. Keep these tiny travelers dry and warm, using a damp towel or paper towel to gently contain them during transport.

Every little turtle matters. Thank you for helping us give these tiny ocean travelers the best chance at making it home. 🌊

09/07/2026

Today, we’re celebrating the hard work, dedication, and passion of the people who make a difference every single day.

From our veterinary and animal care teams to our volunteers, researchers, educators, and everyone behind the scenes, it takes an incredible team to care for our patients and give them the best chance at returning to the wild.

Every tank cleaned, every wound treated, every meal prepared, every late night, and every hour spent caring for a sea turtle matters.

We’re so grateful for the people who show up every day and put in the work to make a difference, not just for our patients, but for the future of sea turtle conservation.

Happy Labor Day from all of us at the Sea Turtle Hospital! 🌊🐢

09/06/2026

🔬🐢 SCIENCE SUNDAY: COME VISIT US! 🐢🔬

While our Sea Turtle Hospital tours are currently on hold as we continue settling into our new space, that doesn’t mean you have to wait to come see us!

We’re excited to welcome friends and followers into our NEW Discovery Lobby, open to the public Wednesdays & Fridays from 10 AM–2 PM!

Step inside our beautiful new building and discover all the incredible science, research, education, and conservation happening right here at Whitney Laboratory. There’s so much to explore and learn about the amazing work happening behind the scenes to better understand and protect our marine ecosystems.

And of course… don’t forget to check out the Sea Turtle Surgical Suite viewing window! 👀🐢 You may even catch a glimpse of our team caring for some of the incredible patients currently in rehabilitation.

We can’t wait to welcome you into our new home and share all the exciting things happening at Whitney Lab!

📍 Discovery Lobby at Whitney Laboratory
🗓️ Wednesdays & Fridays
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM

Come say hello, learn something new, and get a peek inside the world of sea turtle rehabilitation and marine science! 🐢🌊💚

📸: Lord Aeck Sargent Planning & Design and Copyright Jonathan Hillyer Photography

09/05/2026

🌊🐢 Enjoy the Holiday Weekend & Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife! 🐢🌊

As you head out to enjoy the holiday weekend, we hope you make the most of our beautiful waterways, whether you’re boating, fishing, paddleboarding, or simply soaking up some sunshine.

But while you’re enjoying everything our waterways have to offer, remember that we share these waters with some pretty special neighbors!

Sea turtles regularly travel through our local waterways, and a little extra awareness can go a long way toward keeping them safe. Please slow down, stay alert, follow posted wake zones, and keep a lookout for wildlife while you’re on the water.

🛥️ Keep a safe distance from sea turtles and other wildlife
🐢 Slow down in areas where wildlife may be present
🌊 Follow all posted boating and wake-zone regulations
👀 Keep your eyes on the water, especially in shallow areas and waterways where turtles are commonly seen

Our local sea turtles appreciate you being a wildlife-friendly neighbor!

Have a safe, happy, and wildlife-filled holiday weekend from all of us at the Sea Turtle Hospital! 🐢🌊

09/04/2026

Did you know that some of our favorite greens are grown right here on campus?

Our Sea Turtle Hospital grows sea lettuce (Ulva) right here at Whitney Laboratory, giving our patients access to a fresh, natural food source while they recover. And our turtles LOVE it!

For new patients, especially those who may be stressed, debilitated, or not quite ready to eat, sea lettuce can be a great way to encourage that first bite. Sometimes, getting a turtle interested in food is the first step toward getting them back on the road to recovery!

For patients already enjoying their meals, Ulva is also a wonderful natural treat that helps us provide a more varied, species-appropriate diet during rehabilitation.

Providing our patients with foods that mimic what they would encounter in the wild is just one of the many ways we can support their health and healing while they’re in our care.

09/03/2026

This week, Dr. Brooke was at the Sea Turtle Hospital for complete veterinary examinations of all our patients and she had the opportunity to meet our newest arrival, Lightning Bug!

Lightning Bug arrived last Friday after being found washed ashore, debilitated, and with a significant fibropapillomatosis (FP) tumor burden. Since arriving at the hospital, our veterinary and animal care teams have been closely monitoring Lightning Bug’s health, including bloodwork.

Initial bloodwork showed elevated kidney values, so we began supportive care with fluid therapy to help support kidney function. During this week’s comprehensive examination, Dr. Brooke performed an ultrasound of Lightning Bug’s kidneys to take a closer look at their structure and function.

The ultrasound findings, together with Lightning Bug’s bloodwork, are supportive of kidney disease. We’ll continue to closely monitor Lightning Bug, with repeat bloodwork planned to track those kidney values. Lightning Bug is also scheduled for a CT scan next week, which will give our veterinary team even more information to help us understand what’s happening internally and determine the best course of treatment.

One of the most exciting additions to our new hospital has been our veterinary ultrasound system. Having this technology available allows our veterinary team to non-invasively evaluate internal organs and soft tissues in real time, giving us valuable information that can help us better understand, diagnose, and treat our patients.

We are incredibly grateful to the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program for funding the purchase of our new Samsung V5 Veterinary Ultrasound System, including specialized transducers, imaging software, and accessories. This equipment is already making a difference in the care we can provide to our sea turtles and Lightning Bug is just one example.

Every diagnostic tool, every treatment, and every examination helps us get one step closer to giving our patients the very best chance at recovery.

Only the best for our patients. Always.

Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org

09/02/2026

It’s Wellness Wednesday 🐢💙

You know it’s going to be a good start to the day when a rainbow appears over the Sea Turtle Hospital. 🌈✨

09/01/2026

There’s something truly special about a sea turtle.

Maybe it’s their ancient history, their incredible journeys across the ocean, or the way they quietly move through the water. Whatever it is, we know one thing for sure: we absolutely love sea turtles.

Sea turtles have been part of our oceans for millions of years, and today they continue to play important roles in healthy marine ecosystems. From helping maintain healthy seagrass beds to supporting the balance of coral reef communities, sea turtles are an important part of the intricate web of life beneath the waves.

But their importance goes beyond the role they play in an ecosystem.

Sea turtles inspire us. They connect people to the ocean. They remind us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. And every turtle that comes through our hospital gives us another reason to learn, to care, and to keep working toward a healthier ocean.

Every day, we have the privilege of caring for these incredible animals. We celebrate the patients who grow stronger, cheer for the ones who return to the wild, and remember those we weren't able to save. Each one leaves a little piece of itself behind and reminds us why this work matters.

08/31/2026

🚤🐢 Slow Down for Sea Turtles: Share the Water, Protect the Wildlife 🐢🚤

Our waterways are home to some of our favorite animals, including sea turtles. Here in Northeast Florida, juvenile and adult sea turtles can often be found throughout our Intracoastal Waterways, rivers, creeks, and coastal waters—and unfortunately, these areas can also put them at increased risk of vessel strikes.

Sea turtles must regularly surface to breathe, and they don’t always see an approaching vessel or have enough time to get out of the way. A fast-moving boat can cause devastating injuries to the carapace, plastron, and internal organs—or result in injuries that are fatal before a turtle ever makes it to shore.

That’s why wake zones and responsible boating practices matter. 🚫🌊

When you’re on the water:
🐢 Slow down in marked manatee and wildlife protection zones.
🐢 Follow posted no-wake and slow-speed zones.
🐢 Keep a proper lookout for wildlife at the surface.
🐢 Avoid sudden changes in direction when wildlife is nearby.
🐢 Give sea turtles and other wildlife plenty of space.
🐢 Remember that following these rules protects more than just one animal, it helps protect the wildlife that calls these waterways home.

Unfortunately, this weekend our hospital received a report of a juvenile green sea turtle that was found floating at the surface with severe injuries consistent with a vessel strike. Despite the efforts of those who found the turtle and immediately contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), this young turtle had sadly passed away before arriving at our hospital.

While we weren’t able to save this individual, we are incredibly grateful to the people who noticed the turtle, stopped to help, and made the call to FWC. Because they took action, this turtle did not have to continue suffering alone in the water, and its condition could be documented and handled appropriately.

Sometimes helping wildlife means saving a life. Sometimes it means making sure an animal doesn't have to suffer any longer than necessary. Both matter.

The next time you're out enjoying our beautiful waterways, remember that you're sharing them with wildlife. Slow down. Stay alert. Give them space.

Our favorite animals are counting on all of us to be responsible stewards of the water we share.

08/30/2026

🔬🐛 Science Sunday: Celebrating Evolutionary Discovery! 🐛🔬

This Science Sunday, we’re shining a spotlight on Dr. Elaine Seaver, whose research continues to make important contributions to our understanding of evolution and development!

Dr. Seaver recently delivered a keynote address on annelid evolutionary developmental biology (EvoDevo) at the 15th International Polychaete Conference.

So, what exactly is EvoDevo? Evolutionary developmental biology explores how changes in the way organisms develop can help explain the incredible diversity of life we see today. Annelids—segmented worms like polychaetes—are particularly fascinating models for studying these questions because of their unique developmental patterns and evolutionary history.

We’re incredibly proud to have scientists like Dr. Seaver as part of the Whitney Laboratory community, where researchers are working to better understand the biology, development, evolution, and ecology of marine organisms.

From the tiniest marine worms to our beloved sea turtles, every organism has a story to tell and research helps us uncover it!

Congratulations, Dr. Seaver, on this exciting achievement and for representing the Whitney Lab research community on the international stage!

🔗https://www.whitney.ufl.edu/news--events/news/whitney-articles/2026/seaver-polychaete-conference.html

Address

9505 N. Oceanshore Boulevard
Saint Augustine, FL
32080

Telephone

+19042018446

Website

https://www.whitney.ufl.edu/conservation--sea-turtle-hospital/

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