Florida Oceanographic sea turtles benefit from generous donation

Brittany Biber aquarium and life support manager, and Chris Britton aquarium and exhibit specialist, weigh Hank, a
green sea turtle, during a wellness exam at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center.

Funding from the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation
supports sea turtle health at Coastal Center

Much like humans, the resident sea turtles at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center benefit from wellness exams to ensure proper health.

Florida Oceanographic Society received funding to purchase equipment for their non-releasable sea turtle program thanks to a donation provided by the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation. The equipment includes exam lighting, a hoist, and a scale.

“The use of this equipment during regularly scheduled check-ups of our resident sea turtles is necessary to ensure both their health and the accuracy of assessments,” explains Brittany Biber, Florida Oceanographic’s aquarium and life support manager.

The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center has committed to the life-long care of four sea turtles - three greens and one loggerhead. Due to injuries and environmental stress, they are unable to regulate their buoyancy in the water and therefore have been deemed non-releasable by the State of Florida. Special diets, vitamins and medication are necessary to keep them healthy.

Visit the Coastal Center, located at 890 N.E. Ocean Blvd. on Hutchinson Island in Stuart to learn more about these amazing creatures. Daily sea turtle programs, feeding programs for the game fish lagoon and stingray touch tank occur seven days a week on the 57-acre property. Visitors can enjoy guided trail walks through the coastal swamp and hammocks, as well as additional exhibits and educational displays that inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children, and free for members and children under 3. For program times and additional information, visit FloridaOcean.org or call 772-225-0505.

About Florida Oceanographic Society

Florida Oceanographic Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education and research. Their Coastal Center is a 57-acre marine life nature center located on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. As a leading state- and nationally-recognized environmental organization, Florida Oceanographic offers educational programs for all ages and conducts advocacy, research and restoration programs that lead to healthy coastal ecosystems. Learn more at FloridaOcean.org or call 772-225-0505.

About the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation

The National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation is a non-profit Florida corporation incorporated in 1987 for the preservation of marine life. The foundation, located in Fort Lauderdale, concentrates its efforts on endangered species, oceans and waterways. For more information, visit SaveTheSeaTurtle.org or call 877-887-8533.