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South Padre Island Opens Largest Enclosed Sea Turtle Hospital
- Updated: March 26, 2025
By Mike Villarreal
On Saturday, March 1, Sea Turtle Incorporated joyfully celebrated the grand opening of the world’s largest fully enclosed sea turtle hospital on South Padre Island. This incredible facility, covering 15,000 square feet at 6617 Padre Blvd, symbolizes hope and compassion for these magnificent creatures. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at midday began a vital journey in caring for sea turtles.
As part of its mission, the hospital extends the existing museum, inviting guests to walk through various rooms filled with educational materials that shed light on the lives of sea turtles. Each patient care room is thoughtfully designed with windows so visitors can witness the dedication and expertise of Sea Turtle Inc.’s medical team as they provide care and healing to these vulnerable animals.
One remarkable feature of the hospital is its sea turtle MRI machine, which allows guests to observe the scanning process and the results in real-time, fostering a deeper understanding of the turtles’ physical challenges. The volunteers, who are the heart of this organization, have shown immense dedication in rescuing cold-stunned sea turtles during harsh winter storms. Just this past January, over 600 turtles were rescued, and on February 23, more than 200 of them returned to the safety of their natural habitat, a truly heartwarming sight.
Cold-stun events can severely affect a turtle’s ability to regulate body temperature and swim, making timely intervention essential. The hospital opens its doors to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 6617 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island. Founded in 1977, Sea Turtle Inc. remains committed to protecting these beautiful sea turtles globally. For more information about their work and how you can help, please visit seaturtleinc.org. Together, we can support these incredible creatures and ensure their brighter future.
Photos from Sea Turtle, Inc Facebook page
