The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab

10/30/2026

As our Adopt-a-Washback campaign comes to an end, we want to take a moment to say one very important thing: THANK YOU.

To everyone who has symbolically adopted a washback, chosen a name, shared our posts, or helped spread the word, please know how much your support means to us. Our staff has absolutely loved seeing the names come through, and every time we get to share a new name with our team, it brings a little extra joy to our busy days at the hospital. Some of these names have made us smile, some have made us laugh, and all of them have reminded us just how much our community cares about these tiny turtles.

These little patients may be some of the smallest turtles we care for all year, but looking after them is no small task! From their first veterinary examinations to daily feedings, careful monitoring, and any extra medical care they may need, each tiny turtle takes time, dedication, and a whole lot of love from our animal care team.

Your generosity helps support that care, and we are so grateful to have you alongside us on this journey. Every washback that comes through our doors has a story, and thanks to you, so many of them have a name, too.

Today is your last chance to adopt and name a washback!

For a gift of $25 or more to the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab, you can symbolically adopt one of our tiniest patients and give them a special name of their own. You'll receive a personalized adoption certificate by email within 3 business days.

Whether you've already adopted a washback or are thinking about joining us today, thank you for being part of something so meaningful. Your support helps us continue caring for these little ocean explorers as they grow stronger and work toward their second chance in the wild.

From our entire Sea Turtle Hospital team, thank you for caring about the little ones. Thank you for supporting our work. And thank you for reminding us that even the tiniest turtles can bring a community together in a BIG way.

🐢 Help us finish our campaign strong! Today is the last day to adopt a washback!

🔗https://giving.ufl.edu/2026-adopt-a-washback

10/28/2026

We’re over a week into our Adopt-a-Washback campaign, and we couldn’t be more appreciative of the incredible support you’ve shown our tiniest patients! From generous donations to the creative, hilarious, and downright adorable names you’ve been sending our way, you’re making this washback season extra special for our team.

Our animal care team has been busy caring for these tiny ocean explorers, and we love knowing that so many of you are cheering them on, too! While they may be small, their needs are BIG. Each baby requires careful monitoring, multiple feedings throughout the day, and sometimes additional medical care to help them regain their strength. Every donation helps support the work that goes into giving these little turtles a second chance.

And we're not done yet!

Our goal is to symbolically adopt and name 275 tiny washbacks by October 30, and there's still time for YOU to be part of their journey!

🩵 Here's how you can help:
🐢 Make a gift of $25 or more to the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab.
🐢 Symbolically adopt and name one of our tiny washbacks.
🐢 Receive a personalized adoption certificate by email within 3 business days.
🐢 Help support the care our tiniest patients need to grow stronger!

Last year, we cared for more than 400 washbacks, and our supporters helped us name them all. We’re so excited to see what this year's campaign brings, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has already joined us!

Every little turtle deserves a big chance. Thank you for helping us give them one!

👇 Have you adopted your washback yet? Drop your turtle’s name in the comments, or tag someone who needs a tiny sea turtle to name!

📅 The campaign ends October 30, so don't wait!

🔗 https://giving.ufl.edu/2026-adopt-a-washback

10/26/2026

Hey, sea turtle friends! Are any of our friends and followers planning to attend the annual Taste of the Fun Coast tomorrow at Hammock Beach Resort & Spa? We sure hope to see you there!

The Sea Turtle Hospital team will be there from 4–7 PM, and we'd love for you to stop by our table, say hello, and catch up with us! Come share some sea turtle love, learn a little about the work we're doing, and help us celebrate the amazing community that supports sea turtle conservation.

Haven't grabbed your tickets yet? There's still time! Don't miss out on an evening filled with delicious food, local flavors, and a great cause.

📍 Where: Hammock Beach Resort & Spa
🕓 When: Tomorrow, 4–7 PM

🎟️ Tickets are still on sale, so be sure to get yours before the event!
https://flaglerbroadcasting.com/events/taste-of-the-fun-coast-2026

We can't wait to see some familiar faces and meet new friends. If you're going, let us know in the comments!

See you tomorrow, sea turtle friends!

10/25/2026

🔬🐢 SCIENCE SUNDAY: A CUP OF WATER, A WORLD OF INFORMATION! 🌊🧬

Did you know that a single cup of water can hold clues about the wildlife living nearby, the health of an ecosystem, and even the pathogens present in the environment?

This week for Science Sunday, we’re highlighting the work of Dr. David Duffy and exploring the fascinating world of environmental DNA (eDNA)!

What is eDNA?

Every living organism carries DNA, the genetic instructions that make each species unique. As plants, animals, fungi, and microbes interact with their surroundings, they leave tiny traces of DNA behind. This environmental DNA, or eDNA, can enter the environment through shed skin cells, hair, mucus, waste, pollen, and other biological material.

By collecting samples of water, sand, or even air, scientists can analyze these traces to learn what organisms may be present without ever having to see or capture them!

Why does this matter?

Researchers can use eDNA to:
🔎 Detect wildlife that may be difficult to observe in the wild.
🌿 Monitor biodiversity and track invasive species.
🦠 Detect certain pathogens and better understand environmental health.
💧 Investigate the health of waterways and surrounding ecosystems.

Traditional wildlife surveys can require hours of searching, specialized equipment, and sometimes capturing or handling animals. eDNA offers researchers another powerful tool to gather information while minimizing disturbance to wildlife.

What does this mean for sea turtles?

For sea turtle conservation, tools like eDNA can help researchers better understand the ecosystems these animals depend on and investigate the presence of species in their habitats. As these technologies continue to advance, they offer exciting opportunities to improve wildlife monitoring and conservation research.

Science is constantly finding new ways to uncover the hidden stories of our natural world, sometimes starting with something as simple as a cup of water!

👏 Join us in celebrating Dr. David Duffy’s research and the innovative science helping us better understand and protect the wildlife and ecosystems we all share.

One bottle of water can reveal the secrets of an entire ecosystem.

10/24/2026

Shout out Saturday to US!

Today, the Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Laboratory is celebrating 11 YEARS of saving sea turtles! And WOW, have we come a long way!

Since opening our doors in 2015, we've been through a whole lot of highs, lows, challenges, celebrations, and more than a few unexpected adventures. But through it all, one thing has never changed: the love, care, and dedication behind every turtle that comes through our doors.

And just look at what we've accomplished together!

🐢 1,289 juvenile and subadult sea turtles cared for in Northeast Florida.

🐢 2,763 hatchling and post-hatchling patients given a helping hand.

That's a whole lot of turtles, a whole lot of tiny flippers, and countless hours of care, hard work, and dedication over the past 11 years!

From the early days of opening our doors in 2015 to moving into our new hospital in May of this year, this journey has been filled with mountains to climb, molehills to overcome, lessons learned, and milestones worth celebrating. We've grown, adapted, learned, and continued to find ways to give our patients the care they deserve.

But this journey has never belonged to our team alone. It belongs to YOU, too!

To our friends, families, volunteers, donors, sponsors, research partners, followers, and supporters: thank you for being part of our story. Thank you for cheering us on, lending a helping hand, sharing our patients' journeys, and believing in the work we do. You've celebrated our successes, stood beside us through the challenges, and helped us get to where we are today. We truly couldn't do it without you!

And the best part? WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!

Our new hospital is open, construction on our life-support systems is well underway, and we're looking forward to all the opportunities this next chapter will bring. There is so much more ahead, and we can't wait to see where the next 11 years take us!

As we celebrate this milestone, we're reminded that every turtle has a story, every rescue matters, and every helping hand makes a difference.

So, here's to the turtles we've helped, the people who've made it possible, the memories we've made, and all the adventures still waiting for us.

Here's to us. Here's to YOU. And here's to another year of saving sea turtles!

Happy 11th anniversary from your Sea Turtle Hospital team at UF Whitney Laboratory!

And remember… you never know what the tide will bring in!

10/24/2026

Thank you St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park for a night filled of tricks and treats.

Our Program Manager Cat took the opportunity to teach our treaters about sea turtle rehabilitation performing sea turtle operations.

10/23/2026

Our staff has been LOVING the names coming in through our Adopt-a-Washback campaign! From sweet and silly to creative and completely unexpected, you all are already making this washback season extra special. We can’t wait to see what other names come through!

Meanwhile, our tiniest patients are keeping our animal care team busy! These little turtles may be small, but caring for them is a BIG job.

Each washback receives an examination by our veterinarian when they arrive, followed by daily monitoring, multiple feedings throughout the day, and medical care when needed. Some need a little extra help, including fluid therapy and antibiotics, as they regain their strength after being pushed back onto shore by fall storms and strong ocean currents.

Why do washbacks need our help?

After hatching, baby sea turtles make an incredible journey offshore toward floating mats of Sargassum seaweed, often 50–100 miles from shore. This is where many young turtles find shelter and food. But sometimes, strong currents and storms sweep these tiny travelers back toward our beaches before they can reach their destination. Exhausted and vulnerable, they need time, care, and plenty of support to get back on track.

Last year, we cared for more than 400 babies, and our amazing supporters helped us name them all! This year, we're hoping to symbolically adopt and name 275 tiny turtles by October 30. 💙

Want to join the fun?

For a gift of $25 or more, you can symbolically adopt and name a washback! You'll receive a personalized adoption certificate by email within 3 business days, and your gift will help support the care these tiny patients need.

Every name tells a story, and every gift helps us care for these little ocean explorers until they're ready for their next big adventure.

📅 Our campaign ends October 30, so there's still time to choose your turtle's name!

👇 Tell us in the comments: What would YOU name a baby sea turtle?

Thank you for helping our tiniest patients get a big chance at a brighter future! 🩵

🔗 https://giving.ufl.edu/2026-adopt-a-washback

10/23/2026

💚🐢 Happy Veterinary Technician Week from the Sea Turtle Hospital! 🩺✨

You may have visited our hospital, attended a sea turtle release, or helped rescue a sea turtle alongside one of our wonderful team members. But what you don’t always see is the dedication, compassion, and hard work that happens behind the scenes every single day.

Our animal care team is the heart of our hospital. These ladies give their all to our patients, working tirelessly to provide the best possible care to every sea turtle that comes through our doors. From the moment a patient arrives to the day they return to the ocean, they are there for every step of the journey.

So, what does animal care really look like? It’s so much more than what meets the eye! Our team works hard every day to:

Administer treatments and medications
Monitor vital signs and track patient progress
Provide comfort and compassionate care
Manage anesthesia and monitor patients under sedation
Assist with veterinary procedures
Collect samples and run diagnostic tests
Take X-rays and assist with diagnostic imaging
Manage medical records and document patient care
Maintain the facility to keep our patients healthy and safe
And handle countless other tasks that keep our hospital running!

Animal care takes patience, teamwork, resilience, and an incredible amount of heart. It means celebrating the little victories, navigating the difficult days, and showing up for our patients no matter what.

This Veterinary Technician Week, we want to give a special shout-out to Devon, Hailey, and Gracie! Thank you for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and loyalty to our sea turtle patients. Your hard work makes a difference every single day, and we are so grateful for everything you do to help these incredible animals get a second chance.

Help us celebrate our amazing animal care team by leaving them some love in the comments!

10/22/2026

🚨 NEW PATIENT ALERT: Meet #210, Brown Planthopper! 🐢

Our newest patient, Brown Planthopper, arrived at the Sea Turtle Hospital last night after being rescued from Brown Creek Fish Camp in Jacksonville and transported by our friends at Beaches Turtle Patrol.

Brown Planthopper is a large juvenile green sea turtle who was documented entangled in monofilament fishing line, with a possible fishing hook in their mouth. After arriving at our hospital, they received a veterinary examination and X-rays. Thankfully, no hook was found, but we did discover something concerning: Brown Planthopper had ingested fishing line, and it was passing all the way through their digestive tract.

Yep, you read that right. Fishing line was entering through their mouth and coming out the other end through their cloaca.

Over the next few days, our team will closely monitor Brown Planthopper's bowel movements, hoping they can pass the remaining fishing line safely on their own. If the line doesn't pass and remains impacted, Dr. B may need to perform exploratory surgery to remove it.

This is another important reminder of how dangerous discarded fishing line can be to our marine wildlife. Monofilament can cause entanglement, internal injuries, and potentially life-threatening complications when ingested. Please help protect our wildlife by properly disposing of fishing line, never leaving it behind, and educating others about responsible fishing practices.

We're grateful that Brown Planthopper was rescued and brought to the right place to receive the care they need. A huge thank-you to Beaches Turtle Patrol for helping get this turtle safely to our hospital!

We'll keep you updated on Brown Planthopper's progress. Keep your flippers crossed for a successful recovery!

10/20/2026

🐢🩵 IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN… WASHBACK SEASON IS HERE! 🩵🐢

Our Sea Turtle Hospital is welcoming some of our tiniest patients of the year… post-hatchlings, affectionately known as washbacks! And yes, they are ridiculously cute! But just like all babies, these little ones require A LOT of care!

Each washback receives an initial evaluation by our veterinarian and daily care from our dedicated animal care team. From careful monitoring and multiple feedings throughout the day to extra medical support like fluid therapy and antibiotics when needed, caring for these tiny turtles is a big job!

That’s where YOU come in!

Our Washback Adoption Campaign is BACK!

For a gift of $25 or more, you can symbolically adopt and name one of our tiny washback patients! You’ll receive a personalized adoption certificate via email within 3 business days, and you’ll have the joy of knowing you’re helping give one of these little ocean explorers a second chance.

But what exactly is a washback?

After hatching, baby sea turtles use nearly all their energy for their first big swim offshore, heading toward floating mats of Sargassum seaweed that can be 50–100 miles from shore. Sometimes, fall storms and strong ocean currents push these tiny turtles back onto our beaches before they reach their destination. These exhausted hatchlings need extra care and time to regain their strength before they can return to the ocean.

Last year, we cared for more than 400 babies! Thanks to our incredible supporters, we were able to give these little turtles names and share their journeys with our community. We couldn't be more grateful to everyone who adopted a washback and helped make the season so special.

This year, we're setting our sights on a new goal: 275 tiny turtles, 275 names, and a whole lot of ocean love!

📅 Help us reach our goal by October 30!

💙 Make a gift of $25 or more to the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab to symbolically adopt and name your very own washback.

We can't wait to see the creative, silly, sweet, and downright adorable names you come up with this year! What will you name yours?

Every gift helps support the daily care these tiny patients need to grow stronger and get one step closer to returning to the ocean.

🔗 https://giving.ufl.edu/2026-adopt-a-washback

Join me and make a gift to 2026 Adopt a Washback Campaign!