The Surprising Benefits of Adopting a Sea Turtle Without Leaving Home
fact checked & review by
Dr. Partho Kumar Shaha
Veterinarian (DVM)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Nay! You are not reading it wrong. You can actually adopt a sea turtle. How? Here is the basic rule for adopting sea turtles.
Look for organizations that allow sea turtle adoption. Next, select the suitable adoption package for you and make the payments. Finally, you will receive an ownership certificate and gifts for your good gesture.
Need more details? Read the article to the end.
Step by Step Process For Adopting Sea Turtles
Adopting a sea turtle is a beautiful way to contribute to marine conservation and make a meaningful impact. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you adopt a sea turtle.
1. Choose a Conservation Program
The first step is to find a sea turtle adoption program. Many organizations, like Sea Turtle Conservancy and WWF, offer symbolic adoptions where you can support efforts to protect sea turtles and their habitats.
2. Learn About the Species
Before adopting, take time to understand the different species of sea turtles. Some programs let you adopt a specific species, like the green sea turtle, hawksbill, or loggerhead. Each species faces different threats.
3. Select Your Adoption Package
Most programs offer different adoption levels. These packages often come with goodies like a certificate of adoption, a plush turtle, or even updates on your adopted turtle’s journey. Pick a package that fits your budget and your level of involvement.
4. Complete the Adoption Process
Once you’ve picked a program and package, you’ll need to provide basic information, choose your adoption method (online is usually the fastest), and make a donation. This is a symbolic adoption, meaning the money goes toward protecting turtles and supporting conservation.
5. Receive Your Adoption Kit
After your donation, you’ll get your adoption kit in the mail (or digitally). The kit typically includes information about sea turtles, your certificate, and any additional items like a plush toy or photos.
6. Follow Your Sea Turtle’s Journey
Some organizations give updates on your adopted turtle if it’s a real one being tracked. You might get access to an app or email updates to follow its migration and life at sea.
7. Spread Awareness
Share your adoption with friends and family! It’s a great way to raise awareness about the importance of sea turtle conservation.
Sea Turtle Adoption Programs
You will find different sea turtle adoption programs online. Also, you may check your state’s wild and marine life organizations for more options.
I have listed some trusted sea turtle adoption programs below,
1. Adopt A Sea Turtle By Oceanic Society
The Oceanic Society is a licensed non-profitable organization in the USA. It works to improve the conservation status of marine turtles and other creatures.
Under the sea turtle adoption program, the society has launched the ‘Adopt a sea turtle for a year package. You can get ownership of a marine turtle for one year with a tiny amount. With this organization, you can adopt any of the mentioned marine turtle species, green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback sea turtle, Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, Olive Ridley sea turtle, and hawksbill sea turtle.
Adopt A Sea turtle – Oceanic Society
2. Adopt A Famous Sea Turtle – Olive Ridley Project
This program launched by the Olive Ridley Project is definitely interesting. The team has named different sea turtles by the name of the person who photographed them for the first time. Generally, the team focuses on a small reef where the chances of re-spotting the same turtle are high.
When you adopt a famous sea turtle, you actually do not spend money on that particular turtle. But the organization uses that money to rescue injured marine turtles, remove ghost nets, and fund sea turtle research.
Besides, you receive attractive gifts from the organizers as a gesture of goodwill. Also, you get updates on re-sighting the turtles on the surface or beach.
Adopt A Sea Turtle – Olive Ridley Project
3. Adopt A Turtle – WWF
WWF has also arranged an adoption program where you can sponsor any sea turtle species. The organizers of this project offer a turtle soft toy, a personalized certificate, a welcome pack, and regular updates on the adopted turtle. Besides, the team allows a monthly installation. So you do not have to pay the sponsorship money altogether.
4. Adopt A Resident – Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards
Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards have a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The adoption center has two special residents, Morgan and Cane, who are unable to return to the ocean due to their severe injuries. You can sponsor these turtles and bear their maintenance.
The organization also has other adoption programs. For example, you can feed a baby sea turtle for only $1. Similarly, you can feed the large turtles and support a little turtle’s treatment or surgery with a slightly bigger amount.
Adopt A Sea Turtle – Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards
5. Adopt A Sea Turtle Nest – Miami Dade Country
Miami Dade Country is a licensed organization determined to save sea turtle nests. As a part of their program, they have launched a project where turtle enthusiasts can adopt a whole nest in Haulover or Crandon Park.
Of course, you will get a certificate for your donation. Besides, the team will send you pictures and updates of your adopted nest. They will also email you when the clutch is hatched.
Adopt A Sea Turtle – Miami Dade Country
Other Adoption Programs
I have mentioned some more organizations that allow sea turtle adoption. You can compare the programs and select the best one for you,
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center
- Sea Turtle Conservancy
- Project Biodiversity
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- Dolphin Discovery Center
Before You Go
Remember not to take a sea turtle in even when it is injured. In any case, inform the concerned authorities first. The below article will explain why you can not keep a sea turtle and your punishment for it.
Can you keep a sea turtle? Why not?
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.