Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a nonprofit sea turtle research, rehabilitation and educational institution that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an on-site hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, which hosts world-class angling and sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge each year. The Center’s conservation team works with 76 local and international organizations across six continents to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean conservation.
Don’t forget to join the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Beach Cleanup on November 17, 8:30 AM – 9:45 AM EST. 14200 US Highway 1, Juno Beach, Florida 33408 For more information and to RSVP go here.
Want to learn about who was released?
Providencia is a small adult female loggerhead that was found in the St. Lucie Power Plant intake canal. The initial bloodwork showed anemia and overall poor health due to starvation. Hospital staff administered fluids, antibiotics, iron, and vitamins. Providencia was also started on once daily parenteral nutrition supplementations. The turtle was put into freshwater to remove epibiota and leeches that covered her body. Providencia will be fitted with a satellite transmitter so we can follow her movements after her release.
Rosie is a large juvenile loggerhead that was found in the St. Lucie River by boaters. The turtle ingested fishing line at some point and was passing it out through the cloaca. We monitored the passing of the line closely. There was a cotton ball attached to it in order for us to see its progression out of the digestive tract. Radiographs showed that the turtle did not have an ingested hook and that the intestines were impacted with food debris. There was also air in the intestines. We monitored bloodwork and follow-up radiographs closely as we treated with antibiotics and other medications.
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is expanding and has launched its Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, designed to accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation and education impact. When complete, the facility will offer one of the world’s most advanced and unique experiences for guests and scientific partners. Learn more at https://marinelife.org/.