our little fighters
Hatchlings Program
Discover how we rescue, rehabilitate, and release thousands of tiny hatchlings each season.
program overview
sEASON
Summer-Fall
AVG. ADMISSIONS
1,000+ Per year
COMMON SPECIES
loggerhead, Green
PRIMARY THREAT
disorientation
the program
Saving the Next Generation
Each summer and fall, as sea turtle hatching season peaks across South Florida, hundreds of thousands of hatchlings emerge from their nests and begin their first journey to the ocean. While most make it on their own, some require temporary care due to storms, disorientation, nest predation, injuries, or developmental concerns.
STS serves as a primary offshore release hub for sea turtle hatchlings in Florida. In addition to releasing hatchlings cared for at our own hospital, many sea turtle hospitals from Florida’s east and west coasts send their release-ready hatchlings to STS. Our location provides direct access to the Gulf Stream, allowing large numbers of hatchlings to be efficiently transported offshore and returned to suitable habitat.
Hatchlings are transported by boat several miles offshore into the Gulf Stream, where they are released near floating mats of Sargassum seaweed. This important habitat provides young sea turtles with food, shelter, and protection during one of the most vulnerable stages of their lives.
During peak hatching season, STS may coordinate the release of hundreds of hatchlings at a time, sometimes more than 500 in a single trip. Each offshore release gives these tiny sea turtles the opportunity to begin the next stage of their journey in the open ocean.
Rescue
Hatchlings found disoriented, weak, or injured on nearby beaches are brought to our hospital for care. Biologists monitoring local sea turtle nests also rescue those that are unable to make the journey from the nest to the ocean on their own.
Diagnose
Each hatchling admitted to our hospital receives a thorough physical exam and swim test to assess their health, strength, and ability to swim normally. Following evaluation, they are placed in one of our designated hatchling hospital tanks where they can be closely monitored and cared for.
Care
Hatchlings receive individualized supportive care based on their condition and needs. Treatment may include nutritional and fluid support, wound care and topical medications for injuries, and physical therapy to improve strength and mobility. They are closely monitored throughout rehabilitation and provided with a controlled environment that allows them to rest, recover, and regain the strength needed for release.
offshore release
Our hospital admits more than 1,000 hatchlings on average each summer and fall during hatching season. Each hatchling is evaluated and provided with the supportive care needed to recover and grow strong enough for release. Once ready, hatchlings are transported offshore by boat into the Gulf Stream, where staff release them near floating mats of Sargassum seaweed. This important habitat provides young sea turtles with food, shelter, and protection during their first years of life.
Support Our Hatchlings
Raising thousands of hatchlings requires significant resources. Your donation helps provide food, medication, and the boat fuel needed to return home.
*Adoptions are symbolic donations that support our mission.