The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab

06/14/2026

🔬🐙 Science Sunday 🪼🔬

Exciting things are always happening around the Whitney Laboratory, and today we're celebrating a fantastic research achievement!

Congratulations to the Loesgen Lab, in collaboration with the Martindale Lab, on the publication of their paper, "Cnidarian–algal partnerships structure bacterial communities during strobilation in Cassiopea xamachana", in ISME Communications.

This research explores the fascinating relationships between upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana), the beneficial algae that live within their tissues, and the bacterial communities associated with them during a critical stage of development known as strobilation. Understanding these complex partnerships helps scientists better understand how marine organisms interact with the microscopic communities that influence their health, development, and survival.

Studies like this highlight the incredible scientific work taking place right here at Whitney Laboratory and contribute to our broader understanding of marine ecosystems and the connections that sustain ocean life.

Please join us in congratulating the Loesgen and Martindale Labs on this exciting accomplishment! 🎉👏



https://academic.oup.com/ismecommun/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ismeco/ycag147/8702847?login=true

06/13/2026

🎉🐢 Shout Out Saturday! 🐢🎉

Today, we'd like to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the community beach cleanup hosted by the SACNAS Florida Chapter at the University of Florida here at Whitney Laboratory!

More than 50 volunteers came together this morning to help protect our local coastline, collecting an estimated 500 pounds of trash from the beach before it could make its way into the ocean. 🌊♻️

Marine debris poses a serious threat to sea turtles and other marine life. From entanglement hazards to accidental ingestion, trash in our waterways can have devastating consequences for the animals we work so hard to protect. Every piece of litter removed today makes a difference.

We were incredibly lucky to finish our cleanup efforts just before the weather rolled in, making for a productive and successful morning of conservation and community engagement.

Thank you to the SACNAS Florida Chapter, our volunteers, and everyone who dedicated their time and energy to keeping our beaches clean and our oceans healthier for wildlife.

Together, we're making a difference—one piece of trash at a time! 💚🐢

06/12/2026

💙 In Loving Memory of Comet Moth 💙

It is with heavy hearts that we share some sad news about one of our patients, Comet Moth.

Last week, Comet Moth traveled to Precision Imaging Center for a CT scan with contrast as part of his ongoing care for Fibropapillomatosis (FP), a disease that causes tumors to develop in sea turtles. While many FP tumors grow externally and can be surgically removed, some turtles develop internal tumors that affect vital organs.

After carefully reviewing Comet Moth's CT images, our veterinarian, Dr. Brooke, identified four tumors within her lungs. Unfortunately, internal lung tumors cannot be surgically removed and significantly impact a turtle's long-term health and quality of life. After thoughtful discussion and consideration of her prognosis, our team made the difficult but compassionate decision to humanely euthanize Comet Moth to prevent future suffering.

At the Sea Turtle Hospital, we go above and beyond for every patient in our care. Many of our FP patients undergo extensive diagnostics, including bloodwork, radiographs (x-rays), and advanced imaging such as CT scans with contrast to monitor for internal disease and help guide treatment decisions.

While cases like Comet Moth's are heartbreaking, they also help us learn more about this devastating disease. Following his necropsy, tissue samples were collected and will be shared with our research team to further study FP and improve our understanding of how it affects sea turtles.

Although her story did not end the way we had hoped, Comet Moth received exceptional care and was surrounded by people who cared deeply for her every step of the way.

Thank you for supporting our patients and our mission to give every sea turtle the best possible chance.

💙 Swim free, Comet Moth.

06/10/2026

🐢💚 Wellness Wednesday is the best day of the week!

Today, Dr. Brooke is hard at work reviewing all of our patients' CT images from last week's trip to Precision Imaging Center and performing comprehensive exams on our sea turtle patients. Vet days are always busy, but we're happy to report that our patients continue to heal well under her expert care.

One of today's patients was Wind Scorpion, who received updated X-rays and a bandage change for a fractured flipper. While the fracture remains quite severe, Wind Scorpion is responding well to the treatment plan and continues to make progress.

Healing takes time, but this tough turtle is showing us what resilience looks like every day. 💪🐢

Now we have an important question for all of you: Do you think Wind Scorpion needs a cast-signing party? Leave a message of encouragement in the comments and let us know! ✍️💚

06/09/2026

Recovery is about more than medicine. Just like people, sea turtles benefit from mental stimulation and opportunities to engage in natural behaviors while in rehabilitation.

Our animal care team regularly provides tank enrichments for our patients. These enrichments can include floating objects, novel items, changes to their environment, or feeding challenges designed to encourage exploration, activity, and natural foraging behaviors. Enrichment helps reduce boredom, promotes physical activity, and allows us to learn more about each turtle's personality and behavior.

But introducing enrichment isn't as simple as dropping a new item into a tank. Whenever a new enrichment is provided, our team carefully performs behavior observations to ensure the turtle is responding positively. We monitor how the patient interacts with the item, looking for signs of curiosity and engagement while also ensuring the enrichment does not cause stress or interfere with recovery.

These observations help us tailor enrichment plans to each individual turtle, supporting both their physical and behavioral well-being during rehabilitation.

After all, a healthy turtle is more than just healed injuries, it's a turtle that is active, engaged, and prepared for life back in the wild!

06/07/2026

🔬🐢 SCIENCE SUNDAY 🐢🔬

Did you know that one of the best ways to stay connected to the Sea Turtle Hospital is through our Quarterly Newsletter?

Every three months, we share a behind-the-scenes look at the important work happening here at the hospital. From patient stories and rehabilitation updates to conservation news, research highlights, and educational opportunities, our newsletter helps connect our community to the science and care that goes into helping sick and injured sea turtles.

Science and conservation are constantly evolving, and our quarterly newsletter allows us to share the latest developments in sea turtle medicine, rehabilitation techniques, and research initiatives taking place at the hospital and beyond. It's also a great way to celebrate patient success stories, recognize our incredible volunteers and supporters, and keep you informed about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

Whether you're a longtime supporter, a sea turtle enthusiast, or simply curious about the work we do, our newsletter is the perfect way to stay informed and inspired.

📧 If you haven't signed up yet, now is the perfect time! Don't miss out on patient updates, conservation stories, scientific discoveries, and all the exciting things happening at the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Together, we're helping turtles and sharing the science.

https://mailchi.mp/whitney/seaturtlehospitaljune26-5842241?e=6416ef3b81

Our team is officially settling into our brand-new treatment room, and while there are still boxes to unpack, supplies to organize, and plenty of finishing touches to complete, patient care never slows down.

06/06/2026

🚗🐢 Gopher Tortoises on the Move! 🐢🚗

If you're traveling along A1A or nearby roadways, please keep an eye out for one of Florida's most beloved residents, the gopher tortoise!

With the warm weather and sunshine, gopher tortoises are spending more time grazing on grasses and exploring their habitat. Unfortunately, many of these tasty roadside snacks are located near busy roads, putting tortoises at risk of being struck by vehicles.

A few extra seconds of attention behind the wheel can make a huge difference. Slow down, stay alert, and watch for tortoises crossing or feeding near the roadway.

If you encounter an injured gopher tortoise, please note that the Sea Turtle Hospital is not permitted to treat gopher tortoises. Instead, contact the appropriate licensed wildlife rehabilitator through Help Animals Now at helpanimalsnow.org to locate the nearest gopher tortoise rehabilitation facility.

Together, we can help protect these important native reptiles and keep them safe on Florida's roadways. 💚

06/05/2026

Happy World Environmental Day!

Join us next Saturday, June 13th, as we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day by helping keep our beaches clean and safe for nesting sea turtles, emerging hatchlings, and the countless other animals and plants that call our coastline home!

The Sea Turtle Hospital is excited to partner with the SACNAS Florida Chapter at the University of Florida for a community beach cleanup event. Every piece of trash removed from our beaches helps reduce hazards to wildlife and creates a healthier environment for sea turtles during nesting season.

📅 Saturday, June 13th
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Meet at the Coastal & Marine Sciences (CMS) Building

After the cleanup, refreshments and light bites will be provided for participants.

Beach debris can entangle marine animals, be mistaken for food, and negatively impact coastal habitats. By spending just a few hours helping clean the shoreline, you'll make a direct difference for sea turtles, shorebirds, marine life, and even some of the research specimens studied by local scientists.

🌊 Help protect nesting mothers.
🐢 Help hatchlings reach the ocean safely.
♻️ Help keep our beaches beautiful.

Please RSVP, even if it's the morning of the event! Register here:
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/event/world-sea-turtle-day-beach-cleanup-2/

Bring your friends, family, and your passion for conservation. We hope to see you there!

06/04/2026

Termite was caught red-flippered this afternoon spying on his/her tank mate during dinner time. Apparently, waiting patiently for your own meal is much harder when someone else gets served first!

Our animal care team spotted Termite spying through the tank divider, carefully monitoring every bite his/her neighbor was taking. Was he/she making sure the food quality met standards? Checking portion sizes? Or just wondering why his/her dinner hadn't arrived yet? We may never know.

One thing is certain, sea turtles are always keeping an eye on what's happening around them, especially when food is involved!

Don't worry, Termite. Your dinner was served shortly after, and no complaints were filed with management.

06/03/2026

💙🐢 WELLNESS WEDNESDAY 🐢💙

It's field trip day for our patients!

Early this morning, our animal care team carefully loaded up our sea turtle patients and hit the road to St. Augustine for an important appointment at Precision Imaging Center. Thanks to the generosity of their incredible team, our patients receive comprehensive CT scans through the donation of their time, equipment, expertise, and compassionate care.

So why are CT scans so important?

While physical exams, bloodwork, and radiographs provide valuable information, CT imaging allows our veterinary team to see detailed cross-sectional images of a turtle's body. This advanced diagnostic tool helps us evaluate injuries, detect internal abnormalities, assess lung health, identify bone infections, and determine the extent of fibropapillomatosis (FP) tumors that may not be visible externally.

For many of our patients, CT scans play a critical role in treatment planning. The images help our veterinarians determine surgical options, monitor healing progress, and make informed decisions that give each turtle the best possible chance at recovery and release.

We're incredibly grateful to the team at Precision Imaging Center for helping us provide this level of care to our patients. Partnerships like these make a tremendous difference in the lives of the sea turtles we serve.

Please join us in thanking Precision Imaging Center for their continued support of sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation!