Report Stranded or Injured Wildlife and Nesting Sea Turtles

 

Padre Island National Seashore is not a wildlife rehabilitation facility. The park works with area partners to care for stranded or injured wildlife species of special concern.

 

Sea Turtles

If you hook a sea turtle while fishing, call for help (24-hours) to the Texas Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network at 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).

 

Nesting Sea Turtles

If you find a nesting sea turtle or emerging sea turtle hatchling, call (24-hours) to the Texas Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network at 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535). 

Report any nesting sea turtles that you see as soon as possible. 

• Protect the nesting turtle from passing traffic. Nesting turtles can be difficult to see. 

• Allow the turtle to nest undisturbed. 

• After the nesting turtle has started to lay the eggs or when she is returning to the water, photograph or video her and examine her for tags. 

• Mark where the turtle nested. 

• If possible, stay at the site until a park representative arrives. 

Report any emerging sea turtle hatchlings that you see as soon as possible. 

• Protect the hatchlings from passing traffic. Hatchlings can be difficult to see. 

• Photograph or video the hatchlings as they are emerging from the nest or while crawling towards the water. 

• Mark where the hatchlings emerged from. 

• Make sure that the turtles safely enter the water, but do not place them in the water or touch them. 

• If possible, stay at the site until a park representative arrives. 

Cold Stunned or Injured Sea Turtles

If you find a cold stunned, injured, or dead sea turtle, call (24-hours) the Texas Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network at 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535). 

When you call: 

• Report the turtle's location, size, proximity to the surf, and condition (alive or dead). 

• Mark the location. 

• If the turtle is alive, stay at the site, if possible, until a park representative arrives. 

 

Marine Mammals

Report hooked, sick, injured, or stranded whales and dolphins (24-hours) to the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-800-9-MAMMAL (1-800-962-6625).

Giant Manta Rays

If you hook a manta ray while fishing, release it immediately. Cut the line as close to the hook as possible. To help scientists, please report sightings with pictures, date, time and location to: [e-mail].

 

Area Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Facilities

Texas Sealife Center

Address: 14220 S Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Phone: [phone]

Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK)

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
Address: 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas, TX 78373
Phone: [phone]
Injured Shore Bird Ark Hotline: [phone]

Texas State Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Center

Address: 4230 Rincon Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402
Phone: [phone]