By Mary Fomby
Summer is winding down, but the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is just getting geared up for an amazing September with dolphins, turtles, manatees and much more!
Let’s get art-SEA! Dolphin Doodle Returns.
You can take home a completely unique piece of art that has a hint of fishy flare. For ages 5 and up, get creative with our dolphins and let your creative side go wild as you team up with one of our talented dolphin artists to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece! You choose the colors, hold the canvas and leave the rest up to your new finned friend! Plus, you’ll have the chance to touch and feed a dolphin, making this a fun and unforgettable encounter for everyone.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out—book your spot at gulfarium.com/dolphin-doodle.
Last Chance: Only 4 Dates Left for Our CAREing for Turtles Program!
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to participate in our CAREing for Turtles program and take an after-hours, behind-the-scenes tour of the C.A.R.E. Center! There are only four dates remaining: September 11th and 25th and October 9th and 23rd!
The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center is partnering with Destin-Fort Walton Beach to bring awareness to sea turtles and our nesting beaches. Visit the C.A.R.E. Center after-hours and get a behind the scenes look into the operations of the rehabilitation center where you’ll meet our current patients and even learn how to perform a mock intake of an injured turtle.
In its first year of operation, our specialized stranding response team responded to 145 sea turtle rescue calls. This is in addition to regular rehabilitation work which sees over 100 sea turtles receiving care each season. The team’s dedication is making a real impact! If you spot a sea turtle in need, don’t hesitate to call your local hotline.
Sea Turtle ID Project
Another way you can be involved is to join the Sea Turtle ID Project. Did you know that each sea turtle has a unique pattern on its facial scales, much like a fingerprint? These patterns help us identify individual turtles in the wild. Over the past six months, our dedicated stranding coordinator and interns have been hard at work cataloging our sea turtle patients into a photo-ID software system. Now, we need your help to expand this exciting project!
If you’ve snapped any photos of sea turtles in our area, we’d love to see them! We’ve created a simple Google form (link below) where you can easily upload your sea turtle pictures. By contributing your photos, you’ll be directly supporting our efforts to protect and study these incredible creatures.
Tips for Spotting & Photographing Sea Turtles:
• Sea turtles are commonly found around the artificial reefs throughout the Panhandle.
• When snorkeling or diving, remember to maintain a respectful distance from the turtles. If they swim away, please don’t follow or disturb them.
In the form, you can upload your photos and provide details about your encounter, including the date, location, and any observations you made. Please submit one turtle at a time so we can accurately track each individual. Thank you! Together we can make a difference.
Submit your sea turtle photos at https://bit.ly/4dRtI3r
Exciting Progress on Our New Manatee Habitat!
The Gulfarium’s new manatee habitat is coming along beautifully and is set to open in late fall! In partnership with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, we’re preparing to welcome rescued manatees who need time to heal and recover. Our team is dedicated to creating an exceptional environment for these gentle giants.
Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park online at Gulfarium.com.
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