FOUND A TURTLE IN NEED OF HELP? CALL FWC 1-888-404-3922
Washbacks
Rescue
Diagnose
Diagnose
Washbacks are older hatchlings (post-hatchlings) that are blown back to shore during intense storms or strong offshore winds. These young turtles are often found amid debris pushed onto the beach.
Diagnose
Diagnose
Diagnose
100% of post-hatchlings admitted to our hospital have ingested plastic. The amount and size of the plastic pieces play a major role in their chance of recovery. These young turtles are often in a state of starvation and may have been picked at by fish before rescue.
Care
Offshore Release
Offshore Release
Oral medications and supportive therapies are used to help the turtles pass the ingested plastic. Nutritional support and a balanced diet help correct the damage caused by starvation.
Offshore Release
Offshore Release
Offshore Release
Once healthy, post-hatchlings are released offshore by boat into suitable habitat within the Gulf Stream, where floating mats of Sargassum seaweed provide essential shelter and food. In addition to our own patients, our team also receives hundreds of post-hatchlings at a time from other Florida sea turtle hospitals for offshore release. S
Once healthy, post-hatchlings are released offshore by boat into suitable habitat within the Gulf Stream, where floating mats of Sargassum seaweed provide essential shelter and food. In addition to our own patients, our team also receives hundreds of post-hatchlings at a time from other Florida sea turtle hospitals for offshore release. STCCS is uniquely positioned in Florida to access the Gulf Stream quickly, making these releases efficient and successful.
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STCCS is currently fundraising rescue and medical equipment