Sick and injured sea turtles of all types are brought here from all over the US to be healed, repaired if possible and released back to the wild. Sometimes they can't be cured and have to either stay at the hospital or are given to aquariums for the public to learn about them.
It really is sad to see the condition of some of these wonderful animals, mostly injured or sick due to mankind's ignorance and negligence.
We took so many photos here, but here are a few that are mostly of recovering turtles.
The two black things are weights, which allow the turtle to dive underwater. This poor thing was hit by a boat or jet ski and her shell was damaged. There is now an air pocket in the shell casing which won't allow her to dive below, so eating is impossible. She will stay at the centre or go to an aquarium.
This turtle has had loads of lumpy growths removed from its head and flippers, which were caused by pollution in the water after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There are so many turtles who have these growths and most are being found every day. It's so sad.
This chap is waiting to have his flipper amputated. It was hit by a boat and can't be healed.
This Loggerhead is in a bad way. She can't swim, is currently blind and has stopped eating. All this has been caused by polluted waters. The centre hopes that she will recover given time, but it could take years.
The water spray keeps her shell supple.
Hatchlings which were found in the sewer duct of a local beach resort. The resort keeps leaving the lights on at night when the babies hatch and they get drawn to the lights. The hotel has been fined several times, but still leave the light on!
This old boy will never leave the centre. He is old and can't swim deep anymore. So he lives in a massive pool and gets fed and is as happy as he can be.
A visitor to the centre checking up on his buddies.
We both love turtles and this visit has given us added resolve to make people aware of what man is doing to this wonderful creature.
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