{"id":225655,"date":"2026-04-10T00:54:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T00:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/225655\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T00:54:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T00:54:11","slug":"crow-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-sea-turtle-complex-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/225655\/","title":{"rendered":"CROW holds ribbon-cutting for new sea turtle complex – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
\nThe Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 25 for its new Harkey Sea Turtle Complex.<\/p>\n

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CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
\nThe Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 25 for its new Harkey Sea Turtle Complex.<\/p>\n

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CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
\nThe Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 25 for its new Harkey Sea Turtle Complex.<\/p>\n

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CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
\nLocal philanthropist and wildlife advocate Bill Harkey stands next to the turtle hoist at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife’s (CROW) new Harkey Sea Turtle Complex on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

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CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
\nThe Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 25 for its new Harkey Sea Turtle Complex.<\/p>\n

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The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel marked a major milestone in marine conservation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 25 for its new Harkey Sea Turtle Complex.<\/p>\n

The event celebrated the completion of the highly anticipated facility, which replaces CROW\u2019s original sea turtle rehabilitation building that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. CROW will begin treating turtle patients at the facility once final permits are approved.<\/p>\n

Named in honor of local philanthropists and wildlife advocates Bill and Laurie Harkey, the complex was made possible through their support, along with contributions from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and other donors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is such an exciting day for us here at CROW, realizing the dream of a sea turtle complex. What you see now is the culmination of a lot of hard work,\u201d Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey said. \u201cWe drove all over the state of Florida to see what was needed for sea turtles. It wasn\u2019t just about building a building; it was about building what sea turtles needed for proper care, rehabilitation and release back into the wild.\u201d<\/p>\n

A FEMA-approved building, the Harkey Sea Turtle Complex features four tanks for adults and one \u201cfly-away\u201d hatchling tank. Other features include:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Motorized sea turtle hoists that can hold up to 3,700 pounds<\/p>\n

\u2013 Saltwater tanks that can be subdivided to hold various turtle patients<\/p>\n

\u2013 Two 2,250-gallon tanks, two 1,250-gallon tanks and a hatchling tank<\/p>\n

\u2013 Full control over the water quality<\/p>\n

\u2013 State-of-the-art ionization and sand filtration system<\/p>\n

\u2013 UV sterilizers<\/p>\n

\u2013 Digital cameras on each tank and above them, with live online viewing, and the overhead camera provides a 360-degree, night-vision view<\/p>\n

Bill Harkey unveiled his bright blue and pink sea turtle shirt to the crowd of over 100 as he stood before the new facility bearing his family\u2019s name and reflected on the impact that it will have.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great day. It\u2019s a great day for this community, a great day for CROW, a great day for the sea turtles,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, I would be happy as a clam if we never had a patient in these four tubs in there. We know that\u2019s not realistic, so we have to have something just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Harkey Sea Turtle Complex will serve as the only rehabilitation facility between Sarasota and the Keys, significantly expanding access to critical care for threatened and endangered marine species.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to treat several species of marine turtles that include loggerheads, green turtles, the occasional Kemp ridley and, due to sightings on the island, we could even see the incredible leatherback, the largest sea turtle species in the world,\u201d CROW Research and Medical Director Dr. Jessica Comolli said. \u201cAll of these species face growing threats in our coastal waters \u2014 and this amazing facility ensures we are here, ready to provide the expert care that they need.\u201d<\/p>\n

CROW Board of Directors President Paul Ben Susan and city of Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller thanked everyone for their efforts and spoke on the role that the island will play in sea turtle conservation.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanibel continues to be dedicated to the principle of nature sanctuaries, and nothing demonstrates that better than CROW and this sea turtle complex is a manifestation of that,\u201d Miller said. \u201cWhile we cherish all wildlife, the sea turtles are kind of special to us and this is something that will help care the turtles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Owen Ames Kimball was the general contractor for the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project was very meaningful. As a born and raised Floridian, the sea turtle complex holds deep personal meaning as it reflects my connection to the state\u2019s unique coastal environment and wildlife,\u201d Project Manager Chase Harrison said. \u201cIt represents a much needed and one-of-a-kind space dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating injured sea turtles, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit https:\/\/crowclinic.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.<\/p>\n


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