University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue

University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle rescue program covering Levy, Dixie, & Taylor Counties in the Big Bend of Florida. 24/7 Rescue Hotline: 352-477-0344

Last night, UFMAR responded to an incidental hook of a sub-adult green sea turtle in Cedar Key. Along with the incidenta...
06/10/2026

Last night, UFMAR responded to an incidental hook of a sub-adult green sea turtle in Cedar Key. Along with the incidental hook, the turtle was found to have a recent major injury to the front left flipper and shark bites in various stages of healing. Due to the size of the turtle, it was unable to be hoop netted so UFMAR staff and community members had to get creative. Huge shoutout and thank you to all those who assisted in this rescue! Our Cedar Key community never fails us. Additional thank you to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for their ability to admit this animal in for rehabilitation and medical care. Rescue work always takes a village🐢 Please remember to call us at 352-477-0344 for any distressed, deceased or entangled marine mammals and sea turtles🟠🔵 All sea turtle rescue efforts performed under permit # MTP-26-095

One of the most important events to our community! UFMAR is set up at the annual Cedar Key Hurricane Awareness Day to sh...
05/28/2026

One of the most important events to our community! UFMAR is set up at the annual Cedar Key Hurricane Awareness Day to share our merch and the importance of being on the lookout for displaced marine animals after these storms‼️ Come learn, support, and enjoy free giveaways!

05/10/2026

It's a day to celebrate moms of all stripes (or spots, scales or feathers)! Check out the average gestation/incubation periods of some of our favorite critters. While some in the animal kingdom spend hardly any time waiting to welcome their young, others make our human pregnancy feel short!

Happy Mother’s Day to every kind of mom figure out there 💐

Happy Mother's Day to all the maternal figures out there! Whether you're 2-legged, 4-legged, or 4-flippered, your role i...
05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all the maternal figures out there! Whether you're 2-legged, 4-legged, or 4-flippered, your role is essential to making the world go round. During this spring season, please remember to keep a careful eye out for all the new marine mammal mothers in our local waters! New moms and calves will be slower moving and often seek out quieter areas to rest and nurse. Please respect their space and proceed with extra caution. Not sure if a marine animal sighting warrants a rescue? UFMAR's reporting hotline is active 24/7 even on holidays: 352-477-0344

In light of several recent manatee deaths caused by watercraft injuries in our stranding response area, we want to highl...
03/31/2026

In light of several recent manatee deaths caused by watercraft injuries in our stranding response area, we want to highlight how Florida is experiencing a widespread and extreme drought, leaving our local river levels critically low. This is increasing the risk of severe watercraft injuries in manatees, as they have less space to move into deeper water when boats pass overhead. Manatees increase their use of river environments during the spring as temperatures are on the rise and they are venturing out of the warm-water springs for better forage opportunities.

We need your help! When out on the water, abide by all slow zones, decrease speed where there are low water levels and designate a manatee spotter on the boat. Additionally, using polarized sunglasses can be the difference in whether a manatee is seen or not. Evidence of manatees in the area can be subtle, look for their nose above the surface or the “footprints” they leave on the surface (circular patches of calm water created by the upward movement of a manatee’s paddle-shaped tail).

If you hit a manatee while out on the water, or find an injured or deceased animal, call our 24/7 hotline (352-477-0344) or call the Wildlife Alert Hotline. If you are interested in learning more about our program or making a donation towards our work, please visit the links in our bio.

02/23/2026

Sea turtles are built for life in the ocean, but sudden drops in water temperature can overwhelm their ability to regulate body function. When exposed to prolonged cold, they can become "cold-stunned," a life-threatening condition that causes them to become weak, lethargic, and unable to swim normally.

The recent cold snap in Florida led to an extreme cold stun response, and we teamed up with Florida Bowfishing Adventures to search for and rescue the most severe cases to be rehabbed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Cold-stunned turtles often float at the surface, wash ashore, or appear unresponsive, sometimes with algae or debris on their shell from inactivity. If you see a sea turtle that appears stranded or unresponsive, please keep your distance and report it to trained responders so it has the best chance of recovery.

When manatees are injured or in distress, help can’t wait 💙The McIntyre Marine Animal Rescue Fund supports emergency res...
02/19/2026

When manatees are injured or in distress, help can’t wait 💙

The McIntyre Marine Animal Rescue Fund supports emergency response, care and conservation for Florida’s manatees and other marine wildlife. Gifts to University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue make a meaningful difference in the sustainability and funding of our program 🐢🐬

Today, on Gator Nation Giving Day, 20 gifts of any size unlock $20,000 to support this lifesaving work 💦🌍

▶ Make a gift to support UFMAR's mission today: https://givingday.ufl.edu/campaigns/mcintyre-marine-animal-rescue-fund/?appeal_id=69713c4def8937c88e9551fc

Remember, every gift makes waves 🌊

🐊

SAVE THE DATE! 📆 February 19th is Gator Nation Giving Day, and UFMAR's McIntyre Marine Animal Rescue Fund has been selec...
02/10/2026

SAVE THE DATE! 📆 February 19th is Gator Nation Giving Day, and UFMAR's McIntyre Marine Animal Rescue Fund has been selected as a recipient by University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine! To contribute a gift to UFMAR's rescue and conservation efforts, follow the link in the comments.

Help us unlock an incredible challenge gift of $20,000 by getting us to 20 donations or more by February 19th! EDIT: The first 15 people who share this post will receive a Limited Edition UFMAR hat.

With these extreme cold temperatures, manatees and sea turtles are incredibly vulnerable! Boaters: please go slow as man...
02/02/2026

With these extreme cold temperatures, manatees and sea turtles are incredibly vulnerable!

Boaters: please go slow as manatees may be on the move between foraging sites and warm refuge. Sea turtles may look “stunned” and lethargic in the water.

Please report these sightings immediately to University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue at 352-477-0344

Boaters in the Gulf‼️ Please keep an extra watchful eye out while on the water. Right Whales have been sighted in the No...
01/23/2026

Boaters in the Gulf‼️ Please keep an extra watchful eye out while on the water. Right Whales have been sighted in the Northern Gulf and all reports aid in the continued protection and knowledge of this critically endangered species! Report any Right Whale sightings to NOAA at 877-WHALE-HELP

Address

16450 NW 31st Place
Chiefland, FL
32626

Telephone

+1 352-477-0344

Website

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