DESTIN-FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Five rehabilitated sea turtles were released back into the Gulf at Inlet Beach Regional Access Thursday morning.

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – It’s World Sea Turtle Week, and Wednesday morning, that celebration turned into a homecoming. Thanks to the rehabilitation efforts of Gulfarium C.A.R.E Cent…

The April 18 fundraiser at Gulfarium drew more than 1,200 guests in support of local sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release efforts.

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Earth Day along the Gulf Coast started with a milestone. At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, five rehabilitated sea turtles returned to the Gulf for Gulfarium C.…

Syrena the loggerhead turtle was near death when she was rescued by marine biologist Tabitha Siegfried.

Marine biologist Tabitha Siegfried of the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center spent 92 days carefully removing hundreds of barnacles from a loggerhead turtle named Syrena, who had a severe case of Debilitated Turtle Syndrome. This very serious, often fatal, condition affects slower moving turtles who are not able to clean barnacles from their bodies. The amassed barnacles then compromise the turtle’s immune system and cause multi-organ failure. > 92 days ago, we found her struggling offshore — weak, disoriented, and in critical condition. I didn’t know if she’d make it. But Syrena showed us what resilience looks like. While the condition is chronic, Siegfried and her team took appropriate action to help her recover and return to her aquatic home. > After months of treatments, barnacle removal, antibiotics, and a whole lot of love… she swam back into the Gulf with strength and attitude (as she should). ### Related Posts

Romeo is a resident of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island in Florida where he’s known for his chilled-out personality and love of lettuce. He was born in the wild, so his precise birthdate is not known. However, when he was captured near Miami back in 1957, he was already a “subadult,” likely to be between 2 and 5 years old. Based on this, a conservative estimate would suggest he was at least 71 in 2026, although more likely to be in his mid-70s. Manatees typically live between 30 and 40 years old, although it’s not uncommon for them to reach 60 years old-plus. Romeo’s exceptional longevity has just been verified by Guinness World Records, snatching the title of another individual known as Snooty, who died in a “heartbreaking accident” in 2017 aged 69 years old). “We are so honoured to be caring for Romeo. He has touched so many people and been such an inspiration for ocean conservation for so many years. To be able to carry on that legacy for his species with him here at the Gulfarium is such a pleasure,” Patrick Berry, President of the Gulfarium, said in a statement. <span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk"...

O Guinness World Records divulgou na terça-feira (17/2) que Romeo é o peixe-boi mais velho já registrado. O animal, originário das Índias Ocidentais (Antilhas e Bahamas), tem ao menos 71 anos, embora especialistas acreditem que ele possa ter alguns anos mais, provavelmente 75. O mamífero marinho, nascido na natureza, agora reside no Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, na Ilha Okaloosa, em Fort Walton Beach (Flórida, EUA), onde é conhecido como um "gigante gentil" e tranquilo. A data exata de nascimento de Romeo é desconhecida, mas quando foi encontrado na região de Miami, em 1957, foi descrito como um "subadulto", com idade estimada entre 2 e 5 anos. Após entrar em cativeiro e se tornar um embaixador da educação ambiental, Romeo passou décadas no Miami Seaquarium antes de ser transferido para o Gulfarium, no fim de 2023. Romeo passa o seu tempo devorando alface romana em comedouros no seu habitat. O animal costuma tirar cochilos às 14h perto da sua rocha favorita, geralmente ao lado do seu principal companheiro de recinto (o Manatee Cove), Lil Joe, de 37 anos. Ele também divide o espaço com um peixe-boi mais jovem chamado Inigo, estimado em cerca de 10 anos de idade. Não é incomum que peixes-bois cheguem à faixa dos 60 anos, embora a expectativa de vida média da espécie fique entre 30 e 40 anos. Infelizmente, a natureza lenta e pacífica dos peixes-bois pode colocá-los em risco na natureza. Eles costumam nadar perto da superfície e frequentam águas costeiras rasas e quentes, rios e pradarias marinhas — as mesmas áreas com intenso tráfego de barcos. Colisões com embarcações são uma das principais causas de ferimentos e mortes de peixes-bois.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is set to hold a Kids Free Weekend in November. According to a Gulfarium news release, the event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children 12 and under will be able to get [...]

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is set to hold a Kids Free Weekend in November. According to a Gulfarium news release, the event will take place on Saturday, No…

The turtles were released Oct. 15 at Henderson Beach State Park.

The Gulfarium CARE Center released five rehabilitated sea turtles into the Gulf at Inlet Beach last Wednesday morning.

The Gulfarium CARE Center released five rehabilitated sea turtles into the Gulf at Inlet Beach last Wednesday morning.

The Gulfarium CARE Center released five rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf on Wednesday morning.

The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park which opened its doors in August of 1955 is celebrating 70 years of conservation and meaningful moments.

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, one of the Emerald Coast’s most cherished attractions, is celebrating a remarkable milestone—its 70th anniversary. Since first opening its doors on August 14, 1955, th...