Florida Aquarium Sea Turtle Rehab Center Opens In Apollo Beach
The Florida Aquarium cut the ribbon Wednesday on a sea turtle rehabilitation center in Apollo Beach. It will expand efforts to save endangered turtles – and increase public awareness of them.
The aquarium has rescued about 150 turtles since it opened in downtown Tampa in 1995. This will also allow the public to see how the threatened and endangered turtles are treated, said Aquarium CEO Roger Germann.
“Animals like endangered sea turtles are very charismatic,” he said. “And they can serve as an ambassador animal to talk about all the complications that are happening in our oceans. So it’s critical for the public to see these animals at some point both physically here, virtually here, learn about them.”
Visitors will soon be allowed at the 19,000 square-foot center. It features five pools ranging from 1,500 to 25,000 gallons. And the sea turtle dive pool will allow the creatures to dive to 11 feet – testing their buoyancy, swimming abililities and whether they can dive for food.
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Photo from Steve Newborn / WUSF Public Media.
