Upgrading Our Clinic
An upgrade to our existing facility would include construction of a full intensive care unit and vet clinic. The clinic will be equipped with x-ray facilities, a surgical unit, and climate-controlled medical storage areas. This will lower stress levels of our turtle patients and improve their rate of recovery.
In 2012, we celebrated ten years’ of partnership with US Fish and Wildlife in patrolling the beaches of South Padre Island and Boca Chica for nesting female Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.
We are financially responsible for the Kemp’s ridley nesting conservation efforts for approximately 50 miles of beach between the Mansfield Jetties and the Rio Grande.
Dorms for Interns
Each year, we hire eight interns to assist with these summer patrols. The interns come from all over the world to learn about sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation. They assist with all the operations of Sea Turtle, Inc. from patrolling to education.
Currently, the interns are housed in leased apartments in an off-sight location due to lack of any type of living quarters at our facility. The trailers must be brought in every year, cleaned, space rented for them. A permanent dormitory for the interns would improve their living conditions during their stay, keep them safe in the event of severe weather, and save the organization money on rent and utilities in the long run.