We're Treasuring Turtles

Caring for injured and stranded turtles

All 7 species of sea turtle have suffered huge population declines in the last 100 years. As well as the threat of egg-poaching, adult turtles face many threats from entanglement in fishing nets and plastic waste to boat propellers. SEA LIFE is working in many ways to help save these iconic creatures and provide rescue and care for those that are unlucky enough to be harmed.

SEA LIFE has a long history working with the rescue and care of injured, sick, and stranded sea turtles and many of our SEA LIFE centres provide long-term homes for non-releasable turtles.

In 2024 alone SEA LIFE rescued 171 sea turtles. Our aquariums in Europe, Asia, USA, and Australasia have released 100 sea turtles over the last 5 years.

Brighton's Turtle Rehab & Repatriation Centre

SEA LIFE Brighton is home to the UK's first purpose-built Turtle Rehabilitation and Repatriation Centre. The number of sea turtles washing up on UK beaches has more than doubled in recent years, prompting the creation of the country's first dedicated rehabilitation and repatriation centre in Brighton.

Endangered Sea Turtle Releases in Sydney

SEA LIFE Sydney is home to a vital Animal Rescue Centre, where marine experts work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate injured, stranded, or washed-up turtles. Each turtle brought into care receives specialised treatment and support, spending months in recovery before being released back into the wild. These efforts not only give individual turtles a second chance but also play a crucial role in protecting Australia's fragile marine ecosystems.

Re-introduction of the European pond turtle

SEA LIFE Speyer is supporting a 20 year project in partnership with NABU to re-introduce the native European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) to the Rhine River. 

• Once abundant in the Rhine, European pond turtle populations have declined dramatically
  due to habitat loss and pollution.
• Speyer has captive bred and cared for up to 100 hatchlings at a time prior to release to the wild and the released turtles have now produced their own offspring!
• The aim of the project is to resettle 500 European pond turtles in Rhineland-Palatinate by the end of 2020.

Supporting Turtles at Kelly Tarlton's

Did you know that SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's is the only place in New Zealand that rehabilitates rescued turtles? We started a Turtle Rehabilitation Program in 1991 where we treat sick or injured sea turtles found around New Zealand's waters. Green Sea Turtles are the species most commonly brought to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's, however, the team also treat Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Loggerhead turtles.

Alligator Snapping Turtle Survey

SEA LIFE San Antonio, USA, are conducting an ongoing population survey for the endangered alligator snapping turtle. 
In East Texas in partnership with Texas Turtle, we help monitor populations by taking vital biological data such as physicals, bloodwork and even ultrasounds. In 2024, we caught, recorded and released six alligator snapping turtles to help us understand the population's health. The species are at risk from the illegal harvest for the meat and pet trade industry and our work is helping Texas Turtles to protect this threatened species in the wild.