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.

Current Patients

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Rye

Posted September 27th, 2023

Rye is a large juvenile Kemp’s ridley from the Spring Hill area who was accidentally caught by a fisherman and ingested a large fish hook.

Current Patients

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Sparkler

Updated September 22nd, 2023 | Posted July 20th, 2023

Sparkler is a juvenile green sea turtle who was found floating offshore of Hudson on July 4.

Current Patients

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Loaf

Updated September 22nd, 2023 | Posted August 11th, 2023

Loaf is a juvenile Kemp’s ridley who was accidentally caught by a fisherman in Spring Hill in Hernando County.