Abstract:
The increased number of sea turtles housed in rescue and rehabilitation facilities, the growing demand for treatment, and the lack of standard guidelines has dictated a need for a comprehensive Sea Turtle Husbandry Manual written for both lay and professional audiences. Through literature searches (including a thorough review of existing protocols and regulations), personal interviews, and a series of internships at professional sea turtle rehabilitation facilities in the US, I have identified the best practices and have fused and formatted them into a step-by-step, photographic manual of basic standards and recommendations. The manual will be published in English, Spanish and French and distributed by the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) to conservationists, managers, veterinarians, and facilities staff in the Wider Caribbean Region in order to encourage and facilitate the best professional care of sick and injured sea turtles during their rehabilitation.
