Conservation

Rescue

Permitted by Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC), CCinc operates the largest sea turtle rescue response team in Indian River County, Florida, documenting over 250 sick, injured, exhausted, and dead sea turtles every year. No matter if you are visiting the area or you are local resident, we rely on your call to locate and respond to stranded sea turtles.

Respond

You call, we respond. Our rescue team is dedicated to reporting all sick, injured, and dead sea turtles found from Sebastian Inlet to Fort Pierce Inlet. Reports are provided to the County and FWC for long-term studies and improved management and law enforcement. Some turtles may be salvaged for research to learn more about the threats sea turtles face to survive.

Transport

It takes teamwork to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sea turtles. We are proud to be part of the Florida Sea Turtle Stranding Network (STSSN). Our rescue coordinator works directly with FWC and a number of permit holders to transport sick and injured (stranded) sea turtles to rehabilitation facilities across Florida.

Dropboxes

The smallest of sea turtles need help too, sometimes. Our rescue team monitors multiple permitted hatchling dropbox coolers located throughout Indian River County, FL. These coolers serve as collection locations for exhausted hatchlings and washbacks found by beachgoers.

Report

If you see a sick, injured, exhausted, or dead sea turtle, please call
1-888-404-3922 (FWCC).

Rescue Numbers in 2025: 75

Funding Support Provided By

Notable Rescues

Vader

Rescue Date: April 30th, 2025
Release Date: June 16th, 2025

Vader was found by a member of our Vero Beach community in the Indian River Lagoon with a large ball of commercial fishing line attached to him. This line, along with some rope, had wrapped around his neck, cutting off circulation and inhibiting his ability to breathe properly. Vader was quickly transported to Brevard Zoo, where he underwent rehab to treat pneumonia and his injuries from the fishing line. Thankfully, he was found in time that he could be saved, but this is a reminder that our actions have consequences on our wildlife. Please remember to properly dispose of your fishing line and other trash so it doesn’t end up in our environment.

Budapest

Rescue Date: February 27th, 2025
Release Date: March 18th, 2025

Budapest was an elusive turtle while we were trying to rescue her! Budapest suffered from “bubble butt syndrome” meaning she had gas trapped in her body cavity, causing her to be buoyant and have trouble diving. Fortunately, Budapest was healthy enough to swim, however, if left untreated, she would have become weak from not being able to eat, exposing herself to more predators. We could tell she had something wrong with her due to her floating near the surface more often than a healthy turtle would have. The amazing lifeguards at John’s Island Beach Club helped us rescue her and she was transported to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, where she was given antibiotics to address her buoyancy. She was released less than a month after her rescue.

Truffle

Rescue Date: November 2nd, 2024
Release Date: December 17th, 2024

Truffle was found in Vero Beach by one of our CCinc volunteers. Although he didn’t have any visible injuries, we could tell something was wrong with him, especially since he had washed up on the beach. Truffle was transported to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, where it was discovered that he had Caryospora and had washed up because he was weak from his lack of eating. Caryospora is a type of pathogen that, if not treated, can lead to intestinal damage. Luckily, Truffle was treated quickly and released less than 2 months after he was found.

Research

Collaborative research is the best way to bring the brightest and best together to advance knowledge that informs conservation. CCinc started the Florida Turtle Cam Project in 2023 to use animal-borne cameras, in partnership with university researchers, to learn more about the underwater behaviors and threats of sea turtles living in Florida’s known foraging grounds.

Today our research partners explore the underwater life of loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles to inform environmental managers and decision-makers, while CCinc serves as the expert science communications partner of the project. Using bits of the camera footage collected through this project, we provide unique and immersive ways to teach others about the threats sea turtles face every day and ways we can all make a difference in their survival story.

Check out our “Featured Turtles” for interesting video clips and notable data from our cameras.