Grant: 24-026E
Project Title: Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Turtle Transport Vehicle
Project Manager: Hunter Eichler
Organization: Gulf Specimen Marine Lab (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $34,000.00
Completion Date:
Summary: The primary objective of this project is to acquire a dedicated Turtle Transport Vehicle, specially designed to ensure the welfare and safety of sea turtles during transport. Florida has stringent regulations in place to protect the state's diverse sea turtle population. These regulations dictate specific requirements for transporting injured or stranded sea turtles, emphasizing the need for specialized vehicles equipped with climate-controlled environments, proper restraining systems, and adequate space to accommodate various sizes of sea turtles. Gulf Specimen Marine Lab's current turtle transport van is a Dodge Sprinter Van from 2007 that has served us well for over ten years of use, but due to age and salt water damage to the frame, the vehicle is in need of replacement and no longer road worthy, according to our mechanic. This project will allow us to purchase a new dedicated turtle transport vehicle in order to relieve undue stress on turtles, and ensure a better outcome for those that we are able to rescue and rehabilitate. The vehicle will be outfitted with a wrap identifying it as the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab with signage stating that the vehicle was made possible through the Sea Turtle License Plate Program with the STGP turtle plate logo included, and colorful sea turtle imagery.
Results: