What to do if you find a sick,
injured or dead Sea Turtle


The only reason a healthy sea turtle comes ashore is to nest, and the nesting season in Florida is May through October.  If you should happen to see one onshore at another time of the year, it will probably be injured, sick, or dead.  In that event, many are unaware of what to do or to whom this should be reported.

Please do not attempt to move the turtle.  Do not try to "help" it back to the water.  To do so would only make it harder for rescuers to locate it, and could even cause the turtle to drown.  Do not attempt to remove hooks or fishing lines, as further injury could be caused.  It is just as important to report a dead turtle as to report one that is alive.  Important data and specimens are taken from dead turtles that could help species preservation efforts.  And during particularly cold periods, the animal could in fact be in a state of torpor and only appear to be dead.

Sea Turtles are endangered and threatened species, and as such their handling requires training and a permit.   The network of permitted and trained persons capable of conducting a sea turtle rescue will be brought into action if the right people are contacted and given accurate information.

If you can’t contact the local Marine Turtle Permit Holder or a Volunteer Turtler, then according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), if you find a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle, you should page the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network State Coordinator, by dialing 1-800-241-4653 and entering the ID number 274-4867.  You will be prompted to leave your phone number. Please be sure to include your area code when paging. The paging system is in operation from 8am until 8 pm.  Alternatively, you could call FWCC’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Number at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).

The FWCC requests that you be prepared to answer the following questions:

1. What is the exact location of the animal? The closest residential street address or major landmark will be the most helpful.

2. Is the turtle alive or dead?

3. What is the approximate size of the turtle?

4. Is the turtle marked with spray paint? (This may indicate that the turtle has been previously documented.)

5. What is the location of the closest access point to the turtle?

If the turtle is alive, please be prepared to stay with it until help arrives

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