Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park has been active in marine animal rescue and rehabilitation for many years. The C.A.R.E. Center was developed in 2015 as a non-profit to facilitate and further our continued coastal conservation efforts. The program has helped to rehabilitate and release various species of sea turtles found in the Gulf Coast, from the Loggerhead, Green, Kemp’s ridley, to the Leatherback. Over the years hundreds of sea turtles have been rehabilitated and released back into the wild by the Gulfarium.
Our Mission:
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center acts as a beacon for coastal conservation through marine animal rescue and rehabilitation, encouraging awareness with public education and opportunities for active participation.
CONSERVE |
Ensure the future of marine animals and their habitats |
ACT |
Play an active role in marine conservation |
REHABILITATE |
Support marine animal rescue, recovery, and release |
EDUCATE |
Inspire awareness for marine conservation issues |
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Our rehabilitation facility and hospital are in need of some items that will help to further support the care of our current and future patients. If you would like to help the C.A.R.E. Center by purchasing any of these items, please take a look at our Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/hb3ghY4. We greatly appreciate your support!
Rehabilitation
When a sea turtle patient arrives, it is evaluated by animal care and veterinary staff using guidelines from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These guidelines give our staff the necessary information needed to evaluate a method for rehabilitation, recovery, and release.
Although every effort is made to release the turtle back to the ocean, occasionally a sea turtle is deemed non-releasable due to medical or physical limitations. These turtles are given a permanent home and full-time care here at the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center
Continue reading to learn more about recent Gulfarium Marine Adventure park sea turtle releases or what you can do if you find a stranded sea turtle.
Stranding FAQs
What do I do if I find a stranded animal?
How close can I get to a sea turtle nest?
How close can I get if I encounter a sea turtle?
Why do I have to turn off beach lights at night?
What can I do to ensure a clear path to the ocean for the hatchlings?
Release
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center promotes rehabilitation and release of all stranded sea turtle species. After the appropriate medical attention and care is provided, as deemed by a veterinarian, the sea turtle is release back into the ocean at a location determined by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Check out our Featured News page to read some of our release stories.
Our Community Partners
Our rehabilitation efforts are funded in part by a grant awarded from the Sea Turtle Grants Program. The Sea Turtle Grants Program is funded from proceeds from the sale of the Florida Sea Turtles License Plate. Learn more at www.helpingseaturtles.org.