Clearwater Marine Aquarium

What We Do Rescue, Rehab, Release

Current Hospital Patients

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working animal hospital.
You’ll see a number of rescued animals currently undergoing rehabilitation in our marine animal hospital. A majority of these animals are sea turtles. They may be suffering from various issues, including buoyancy disorders, cold stun symptoms, fibropapilloma tumors and boat strike or entanglement injuries. Our permanent resident animals also routinely receive medical care and treatments from the animal hospital. We have a full-time Vet and Vet Tech to assist all of our animal care teams.

Our sea turtle rehab center is one of only six facilities in Florida that treat sea turtles with the fibropapilloma virus in our ICU. This virus causes the growth of tumors that can be removed surgically with variable success for regrowth.

Learn more about our current animal hospital patients below, and see them in our surgical suite or ICU hallway on your next visit.

Released Animals

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Vegas

Updated February 21st, 2025 | Posted January 14th, 2025

Vegas is a large juvenile, green sea turtle, who was found stranded in a creek near the Steinhatchee River in Dixie county on Jan. 4. This area experienced extreme flooding during Hurricane Helene, and now that the waters have receded, many marine animals are now trapped in this area. Vegas is in good body condition and has a minor case of fibropapilloma. We are hopeful for a quick turnaround!

Sea Turtles

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Queens

Updated April 25th, 2025 | Posted December 17th, 2024

Queens is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found stranded in a ditch near the Steinhatchee River in Dixie county on Dec. 4. This area experienced extreme flooding during Hurricane Helene, and now that the waters have receded, many marine animals are now trapped in this area. Queens is in good body condition and has a minor case of fibropapilloma. We are hopeful for a quick turnaround!

Sea Turtles

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Tolland

Updated April 25th, 2025 | Posted January 8th, 2025

Tolland is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found stranded in a ditch near the Steinhatchee River in Dixie county on Dec. 29. This area experienced extreme flooding during Hurricane Helene, and now that the waters have receded, many marine animals are now trapped in this area. Tolland is otherwise in good body condition. We are hopeful for a quick turnaround!

Released Animals

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Utica

Updated February 4th, 2025 | Posted January 8th, 2025

Utica is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found stranded in a ditch near the Steinhatchee River in Dixie county on Dec. 29. This area experienced extreme flooding during Hurricane Helene, and now that the waters have receded, many marine animals are now trapped in this area. Utica is in good body condition and has a minor case of fibropapilloma. We are hopeful for a quick turnaround!

Making Waves

  • 1600+ rescued sea turtles since 2010
  • 2100+ Nests monitored since 2010
  • 850+ Animals released since 2010
  • 190K Volunteer Hours 2020-2021
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