Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society has officially launched West Palm Beach’s first-ever sea turtle rehabilitation center. With over 200,000 turtle nests, but only 2 existing hospitals in South Florida (in Miami and Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Jupiter), this new center should lead to a major improvement in rehabilitation efforts.
Fast Facts:
- 📍 Location: Inside the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
- 🏥 Operated by: Sea Turtle Care and Conservation
- 👩🔬 Founders: Three women — Whitney Crowder, Samantha Clark, and Emily Mercier — all longtime sea turtle experts
- 🌊 Why it matters:
- Adds a third turtle hospital to South Florida (and much needed middle ground between Miami and Jupiter)
- Can treat up to 100 hatchlings at a time
- Strengthens South Florida’s wildlife rehabilitation efforts
- 🚫 Public access: Not open to visitors yet, but may expand in the future for education & conservation outreach
