Event will celebrate sea turtle and seabird rehabilitation
Enjoy some close encounters with endangered sea turtles and other
marine life during the 17th annual Turtle Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, at the Marine Science Center, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet.
Animal rehabilitation staff will explain how they care for injured
birds and sea turtles, while vendors will sell food and beverages.
Exhibitors from regional conservation organizations will provide
information on projects throughout the area. Other activities will
include face painting, crafts and live music.
Attendees can meet glove-trained birds of prey and get their hands wet in the center’s touch pool, which features cownose rays and hermit crabs.
Admission to the Marine Science Center and Turtle Day events will be
free. Turtle Day is sponsored by Albertson Lamps and Shades, Bluegreen Vacations, DaVita, US Blinds, and the Friends of the Marine Science Center.
The Marine Science Center is an environmental learning center providing rehabilitation for sick and injured sea turtles and seabirds. Visitors can learn about marine life in the center’s exhibit hall, which includes a 1,400-gallon touch pool, a 5,000-gallon artificial reef aquarium, living reef, octopus and moray eel exhibits, and a gift shop.
They also can watch turtles and birds receive specialized care, visit habitats for bald eagles and wading birds, walk along the nature trail, and climb the observation tower.
Since opening in 2002, the Marine Science Center has cared for more
than 21,000 sea turtles and more than 1,400 gopher tortoises, freshwater turtles and snakes. The Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Facility at the Marine Science Center has received more than 16,000 birds since opening in 2004.
For more information, call the Marine Science Center at 386-304-5545 or visit www.marinesciencecenter.com.
