Sea turtles, the ancient mariners of our oceans, face numerous threats that have led to their endangered status. Among these challenges is the phenomenon of “cold-stunning,” where sudden drops in ocean temperatures leave these reptiles immobile and vulnerable. In response, The Florida Aquarium has emerged as a beacon of hope, dedicating extensive resources to rescue, rehabilitate and release these majestic creatures back into their natural habitats.
The Florida Aquarium is an American Humane Certified aquarium, a designation that signifies its commitment to high standards of animal care and welfare. This rigorous independent assessment evaluates animal well-being and helps to ensure that facilities uphold excellence in animal welfare practices. Guided by the latest science and informed by a Scientific Advisory Committee of veterinarians, zoologists and animal welfare experts, the certification reflects The Florida Aquarium’s unwavering dedication to ethical and effective conservation efforts.
A Commitment to Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
Since 1999, The Florida Aquarium has been at the forefront of sea turtle conservation, combining rehabilitation efforts with community education to advance protection measures. Over the past two decades, the Aquarium has cared for just over 400 sea turtles, successfully releasing 388 back into the wild. In 2019, they expanded their capabilities by opening a state-of-the-art Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at their conservation campus in Apollo Beach, Florida. This 19,000-square-foot facility houses four rehabilitation pools, a deep-dive foraging pool, eight Mobile Aquatic Sea Turtle Holding (MASH) units and a cutting-edge veterinary suite, enhancing their ability to care for a growing number of sea turtles in need.
An Unprecedented Surge in Rescues
Recently, The Florida Aquarium has been operating at full capacity, currently caring for 55 sea turtles—the most they have ever housed at one time. This surge is largely attributed to cold-stunned turtles from Florida’s east coast and even as far north as New England. Each turtle’s rehabilitation journey varies, typically spanning between two to twelve months, depending on the severity of their condition.
Source: The Florida Aquarium
The Story of “Swamp Monster”
Among the recent rescues is a turtle affectionately named “Swamp Monster.” This resilient creature was discovered with a shocking number of barnacles covering his shell and skin, indicating prolonged immobility and struggle. It was unlike anything the Aquarium’s expert conservationists had ever seen. Their rehabilitation team has been diligently working to remove the barnacles, administer antibiotics, provide IV fluids, treat ulcers, and encourage feeding by incrementally transitioning him to deeper waters to stimulate movement. Despite being in critical condition, Swamp Monster is showing promising signs of recovery thanks to the work of these dedicated conservationists.
Follow Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Journey
Several of the turtles that are rehabilitated at The Florida Aquarium are fashioned with a satellite tag attached to their shell when they are returned to the ocean. This allows the community and biologists to track the turtle’s travels and gather valuable conservation data as they return to their natural habitat.
Each time these turtles come to the ocean’s surface to breathe, the tag sends a signal to a satellite, enabling real-time tracking of feeding habits, migratory patterns and environmental conditions like water temperatures. This innovative research helps scientists at The Florida Aquarium better understand sea turtle behaviors and improve future sea turtle rehabilitation efforts. You can follow the formerly rehabilitated turtles’ journeys at sea at flaquarium.org/sea-turtle-tracking.
Source: The Florida Aquarium
Urgency for Legislative Support
To bolster these conservation efforts, government support is crucial. The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 (H.R.347) has been introduced in Congress to establish a grant program aimed at facilitating rapid response and rescue of stranded marine turtles. Passage of this legislation would provide stable and sustainable funding to ensure more sea turtles recover and return to the ocean.
How You Can Help
The plight of sea turtles is a call to action for all of us:
- Contact Your Members of Congress: Urge your representative to support the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 (H.R.347) to ensure dedicated funding for rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Find your representative here.
- Support Conservation and Education: Visit American Humane Certified Zoos & Aquariums, like The Florida Aquarium, that are dedicated to protecting endangered species and educating the public about their role in our ecosystem. You can steward this important work by donating to American Humane Society and learning more about The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
- Stay Informed and Spread Awareness: Educate yourself and others about the challenges that sea turtles and other endangered species are facing and the ongoing efforts to protect them.
By urging for legislative action, supporting conservation efforts, and spreading the word about the plight of endangered species, you are a part of the dedicated effort toward a future where these magnificent creatures grace our planet for generations to come. Learn more about American Humane Certified Zoos and Aquariums dedicated to excellent animal care and species conservation at americanhumane.org/zoos-aquariums.
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.
About The Florida Aquarium
This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Florida Aquarium, a cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s transformation into a globally recognized destination. Since opening in 1995, this 501c (3) nonprofit organization has been dedicated to environmental stewardship through purpose-driven conservation, research, education, and outreach programs. Welcoming more than a million guests annually, The Florida Aquarium provides world-class experiences that inspire action to protect marine wildlife. Home to a diverse array of aquatic and terrestrial animals, the Aquarium is committed to exceptional animal care and fostering a deeper connection to the ocean through immersive encounters. Driven by a commitment to saving marine wildlife, The Florida Aquarium remains a world-renowned leader in groundbreaking research and rescue efforts that help restore Florida’s coral reefs and sea turtle populations. For more information, visit flaquarium.org and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
