Sea Turtles Currently up for Adoption!
Echo – Green Turtle
Echo was found trapped in a fresh water holding pond in Taylor County on February 5th, 2025. The owners of the pond thought she was a freshwater turtle. We believe that she was washed into the pond during Hurricane Helene. Gulf Specimen sent out a team to rescue her with our trusty captain and the help of our AmeriCorps Members. It is no easy feat to get a single turtle out of a large and deep holding pond, but our team did it! After being brought back to Gulf Specimen, she was put into low salinity water like what was found in the pond. After several days of acclimation back to normal sea water salinity levels, Echo is doing great! Be sure to come visit her soon, before she is released back into the wild. If you would like to contribute to her care, you can adopt her! Adoption can be completed online and we will email you a certificate. Every donation helps us continue the critical work on these endangered species!
Damon – Loggerhead
Damon was found floating off the coast of Alligator Point near Dog Island Reef on June 7th, 2024. Fishermen saw him floating and called Gulf Specimen to come to his rescue! He was unable to dive below the surface, which means he would be unable to escape predators and hunt for food. Gulf Specimen sent out a team to rescue him with our trusty captain and the help of our AmeriCorps Members. It is no easy feat to get a 200 pound turtle in to a boat, but our team was able to pull it off! After being brought back to Gulf Specimen, Damon was taken for X-rays and blood work. The X-rays showed that he had no impactions or hooks in his body, which means his buoyancy issues are caused by gas trapped under his shell. His blood work showed no signs of infection or parasites. Damon is currently staying at Gulf Specimen until his buoyancy problems are resolved. If you would like to contribute to his care, you can adopt him. Adoption can be completed online and we will email you a certificate. Every donation helps us continue the critical work on these endangered species!