Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital is a medical facility in Marathon where injured and sick sea turtles receive treatment and care from veterinarians and staff. The center includes an operating room for surgeries, recovery tanks of varying sizes, and a large saltwater pool where turtles regain strength before returning to the ocean.
The facility was established in 1986 when Richie Moretti converted his former motel into a treatment center for injured sea turtles. What began as a small personal effort has grown into a dedicated center that has cared for thousands of animals.
The facility's name reflects its core mission to heal and protect sea turtles that share local waters. Visitors can observe how staff and volunteers work alongside injured animals each day, embodying a community commitment to ocean conservation.
You can visit the center during daytime hours and join guided tours to see turtles in their treatment tanks and recovery pools. Keep a respectful distance from the animals and stay on designated pathways while walking through the facility.
A remarkable turtle named Bubble Butt has lived at the center since her rescue in 1989 after a boat strike, embodying the facility's commitment to permanent care. The center also operates specialized rescue boats equipped with nets and kayaks to retrieve injured animals directly from the water.
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