Marathon Turtle Hospital | Florida Keys

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of sea turtles. Founded in 1986 by Richie Moretti, it was the first state-licensed veterinary hospital exclusively dedicated to sea turtle care. The hospital’s primary mission is to provide medical treatment to injured and sick turtles, rehabilitate them, and ultimately release them back into the wild. It also plays a crucial role in public education, raising awareness about sea turtle conservation and environmental protection.

Mission and Goals

The Turtle Hospital’s goals are multifaceted:

Rescue and Rehabilitation: The hospital focuses on rescuing injured and sick sea turtles, offering them medical treatment and rehabilitation. Common causes of injury include boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and diseases such as fibropapillomatosis, a viral infection that causes tumors on the turtles' bodies.

Conservation: The hospital participates in sea turtle conservation efforts, including the protection of nesting sites and the release of rehabilitated turtles back into their natural habitats.

Education: Through tours, presentations, and hands-on programs, the hospital educates the public about sea turtles, their habitats, and the challenges they face in the wild.

Animal Care and Facilities

The Turtle Hospital is equipped with a variety of facilities and features designed to provide the best care for the sea turtles:

Veterinary Care: The hospital is staffed with veterinary professionals who specialize in the care of marine animals. It provides a wide range of medical treatments, including surgeries, medication, and therapy to help rehabilitate sea turtles.

Rehabilitation Tanks: The hospital has 23 individual tanks, ranging from 150 to 800 gallons in size, where sea turtles are kept during their recovery. The tanks are designed to simulate natural environments to help turtles heal.

Permanent Residents: Some turtles cannot be released due to permanent disabilities. These turtles live in a large saltwater pool and act as permanent residents at the hospital, helping to educate the public and serve as ambassadors for sea turtle conservation.

Ambulance Service: The hospital operates a fleet of ambulances dedicated to responding to strandings. Injured turtles are transported to the hospital for care. The facility also maintains a 24/7 stranding hotline to report injured or stranded turtles.

Educational Programs

The Turtle Hospital offers educational programs aimed at raising awareness about sea turtles and their conservation. These programs include:

Guided Tours: Visitors can participate in guided tours where they learn about the hospital’s history, its rehabilitation process, and the types of injuries that turtles often face. The tours take visitors behind the scenes to see the receiving room, x-ray room, and operating room.

Interactive Feeding Sessions: At the end of each tour, guests can feed the hospital’s permanent turtle residents, giving them a chance to interact with the animals and learn about their diet.

Educational Presentations: The hospital offers presentations on the anatomy, behavior, and conservation of sea turtles, providing valuable information on how people can help protect these creatures and their environments.

Tour Information

Duration: Tours typically last between 70 and 90 minutes.

Fees:

Adults (ages 13+): $30

Children (ages 4-12): $15

Children under 4: Free

Location and Hours

Address: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Hours of Operation:

The education center and gift shop are open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Guided tours are offered daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

How to Help

Visitors can contribute to the hospital’s mission in several ways:

Adopt a Turtle: The Turtle Hospital offers adoption programs where individuals can sponsor a turtle’s care. This sponsorship helps fund the treatment and rehabilitation of the turtles.

Make a Donation: Financial contributions are crucial in helping the hospital continue its work. Donations help cover operational costs and support conservation efforts.

Spread Awareness: By educating others about the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats, visitors can play an active role in marine conservation.

Conclusion

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is not just a rehabilitation facility; it is a hub for conservation, research, and education, dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their ecosystems. By visiting the hospital, participating in educational programs, or supporting its conservation efforts, you can contribute to the ongoing work of preserving these remarkable creatures for future generations. Whether you're an animal lover, a conservation enthusiast, or a family looking for an educational day trip, the Turtle Hospital offers an unforgettable experience that combines learning with the opportunity to make a real difference in sea turtle conservation.