Indoor Sanctuary Ushers in a New Era of Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Research

By Dr. Kimberly Selber

On the 15th of November, 2022, the echoes of a rich history were heard as the process of tearing down the long-standing open-air hospital at Sea Turtle, Inc began. For almost 25 years, this structure served as a sanctuary for countless sea creatures. Now, in its place, emerges the single largest fully enclosed sea turtle hospital in the world, a testament to Sea Turtle, Inc.’s commitment to taking conservation to the next level.

Taking It Indoors

The journey towards this monumental shift has not been without its hurdles. The capital campaign for the new hospital had been progressing for over a decade, bearing the hopes and dreams of the community. It took an unexpected turn in the wake of the cold stun event in February 2021, which forced Sea Turtle, Inc. to reevaluate its plans for an open-air facility.

The unusual 2021 weather event dropped the water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico significantly, resulting in the “cold stunning” (paralysis) of the turtle population. More than 5,500 turtles were rescued by Sea Turtle Inc. staff and a multitude of volunteers off the shores of South Padre Island that winter.

“The cold stun event was a game-changer in many ways,” said Wendy Knight, Chief Executive Office for Sea Turtle, Inc. Coupled with growing patient demand, increasing pressure on Texas's electric grids, and unpredictable weather and climate changes, it was evident that the traditional approach was no longer sustainable. “We just can’t do what we’ve always done,” Knight continued. “It’s time for an evolution.”

This evolution resulted in a revolutionary interior concept hospital that could dramatically increase patient capacity. The new facility features a dedicated cold stun room capable of housing up to 500 sea turtles and a transparent lucite wall to allow public observation of operations.

One of the most prominent reasons for shifting to an indoor facility is durability. Outside elements often force the organization to replace items far sooner than their typical lifespan, which takes a toll on finances and resources. “Now, we're turning the tables on this battle with weather conditions,” said Knight.

“Our commitment to openness and outreach has always been at the core of our mission,” Knight stated. The organization relies on admission fees as vital funding for the feeding, treatment, and surgical care of these majestic creatures. “Every time we had to shut our doors due to unforeseen circumstances, it hurt us,” Knight continued. An indoor facility greatly increases continuous operations during weather events.

Previous experiences, especially during the cold stun event, illustrate that Texas's typically pleasant weather can sometimes turn treacherous. With this new hospital, Sea Turtle, Inc. will have the tools to deal with such disasters much more effectively.

Additionally, the new setup enables Sea Turtle, Inc. to aid other facilities in times of need. “In the past, our capacity to help was often hampered by limitations,” Knight said. “Now, those restraints have been removed.”

As the organization looks forward to helping a larger number of patients, they also look back at successful efforts. “We had 20 cold stun patients flown in from the north right before experiencing a massive cold stun event at our own facility. With the new indoor setup, we're prepared to provide a safe haven for these creatures in any circumstance,” said Knight.

Only One Of Its Kind

The groundbreaking new facility will house the world's only fully dedicated CT scan machine for sea turtles. This will give visitors a unique, live view of the scanning process. Moreover, the surgical suite, visible to the public, promises to double, if not triple, the capacity of patient tanks.

“On average, we admit 75 patients per year, a number we expect to double with the new facility,” stated Knight.

A lot of what Sea Turtle, Inc. does now requires them to go off-site. “That will be totally eliminated with the new facility,” said Knight. For example, Knight explains that to get a CT scan of a patient, they must travel to McAllen. So, not unlike a human patient, the less you do, the better. So taking that animal out of the water, loading them up on a vehicle, driving them an hour and a half, putting them in a machine, going through that process, putting them back in the car, and driving them back is not the ideal scenario. It is stressful on them, just like it would be on a human patient.

Innovative Research

The hospital is not just a treatment center but a research hub. Led by chief conservation officer Dr. Amy Bonka, Sea Turtle, Inc. aims to change the future of sea turtle populations. “Our partnerships with universities bring research funding and grants to our doorstep. Facilitating onsite research where actual nesting occurs is critical,” Knight said.

In addition to nesting research, Sea Turtle, Inc., in collaboration with researchers at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, has continued innovating prosthetic technology. Alison, a resident Atlantic Green Sea Turtle attacked by predators leaving her with just one functioning fin, has been at the heart of an ambitious project to design and craft an actual prosthetic.

The current project team, planning to wrap up their session by the end of August, has embarked on a promising journey with Alison, taking her feedback and refining their approach. By August, a replacement prosthetic and a 3D printing image should be available, showcasing the group's commitment to creating effective solutions.

Addressing Alison's challenges is just a microcosm of a global issue. Numerous other turtles like Alison could significantly benefit from such technological innovations and improvements. However, the aim is not to monopolize these breakthroughs but to share them.

“The spirit of the initiative is to provide access to these advancements without financial constraints,” Knight stated. “The extensive input from volunteers, engineers, doctors, plastic surgeons, dental artists, and others, who have contributed to Alison's success, if monetized, could prove costly for most.” Therefore, the project intends to distribute this knowledge freely, making it attainable for all who need it.

While Alison's case was unique, it opened doors to identifying similar needs in other hospitals. There's also Hang Ten, a Ridley Kemp with a flipper deformity impacting her swimming and foraging abilities - yet another challenge the team is eager to tackle.

With minds from Sea Turtle, Inc., and its affiliates, the potential to solve these issues is substantial. All that is needed is the appropriate space and conducive environment to resume their work.

Supporting Sea Turtles

While planning a trip to South Padre Island, make time to visit Sea Turtle, Inc. With a yearly influx of approximately a quarter of a million guests, of which nearly 100,000 are children, the new facility will allow Sea Turtle, Inc. to cater to a larger audience, particularly the young conservationists who will carry this mission forward.

“We are an organization founded and started by good people that just want to do good things,” said Knight proudly. Hundreds of volunteers are helping on the Island, but supporters can get involved from anywhere in the world. “We don’t get any state, city, or federal funding,” Knight said. By visiting Sea Turtle, Inc. in person or going to its website, donors can sponsor hatchings, support nests, or donate to the care and feeding of permanent residents like Allison and Hang Ten.

Sea Turtle, Inc. is located at 6617 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, Texas, and is open year-round to the public, Tuesday through Sunday.

REMEMBER: If you see a sea turtle on the beach, stay out of the way. Do not touch the turtle; this can cause stress, disrupt a nesting female, or disorient a hatchling. The best way to help is to contact our hotline at 956-243-4361.

And most importantly, don’t litter. Leave the beach in pristine condition when you leave.