JUNO BEACH, Fla. — A 9-1/2 mile stretch of Florida coastline is one of the most densely populated beaches for sea turtles in the nation.
Many loggerhead turtles and green sea turtles make their home at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach along the east coast of Florida.
On any given day, you’ll find lead veterinarian Dr. Heather Barron inside a surgical room at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center trying to save a turtle’s life.
“So, we do sea turtle rehabilitation here. But we also do research, education and conservation,” Barron explained while operating on a green sea turtle with shark bites.
“So, it got an infection in his shell. So, it’s not just the original bite wounds that are the problem,” she said.
The skilled veterinarian has been saving turtle lives at this facility for over 25 years.
Barron said most animals end up at the marine life center because of boat strikes, plastics, shark attacks and fishing lines.
Juno Beach resident Eleanor Fletcher started the center over 40 years ago with a focus on threatened and endangered sea life.
The nonprofit facility services around 200 sea turtles a year, with a dozen recovering at any time.
The facility offers families plenty of educational opportunities to experience the process at work — and even turtle releases.
“The goal here is 100% return to function and eventual release,” Barron said.
Visitors can view the rehabilitation tanks where turtles are held during recovery.
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is at 14200 U.S. Highway 1 in Juno Beach.
Admission is free.