Boca Raton – The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is closed, the non -profit organization that operates the Turtle Hospital on Friday.
The Coastal Stewards said in a press release that the center closed for financial reasons.
“Like many non -profit organizations for the environment, the Coastal stewards have confronted with increasing difficulty in obtaining consistent and sustainable financing,” said Shivani Gupta, member of the board of directors at the Coastal Stewards, in a prepared statement. “This difficult decision enables us to re -allocate resources and to concentrate on our long -term dedication to education for the preservation of Mariens and enable the next generation of proponents of the ocean.”
The gift shop in the center is also closed, said Coastal stewards.
The 13 sea turtles that are currently being treated in Gumbo Limbo receive veterinary care and will be transferred to other recognized sea turtle rehabilitation facilities When they become available, the non -profit said that it works with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission during this process.
The three -in -living sea turtles in tanks in the Gumbo Limbo Center remain on display for the public, according to the coastal stuing.
The center is managed by the city of Boca Raton. In a statement on its website that announces the closure of the rehabilitation facility, the city said that the center “remains fully open and active. The center will continue its efforts for nature conservation and education, including the nesting and breeding programs for sea turtles, youth camps, community education and other popular visitor attractions.”
The city said it “is open to exploring partnerships with other qualified non-profit organizations that may be interested in the at the location of the Zeet Turtles and will determine the best use of the gift shop space.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sea Turtle Rehab Center in Boca's Gumbo Limbo
