The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) rehabilitation and release hospital for the treatment of stranded sea turtles and seals, with future plans to expand to treat dolphins, porpoises, and small whales. Our emphasis is to educate the public about the needs and status of these important animals and their environment, and to research their health needs and threats in captivity and in the wild.
The National Marine Life Center rehabilitates and releases stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation.
Our Vision is to be a world leader in marine wildlife rehabilitation, conservation science, and STEM education.
The Trustees, Staff, and Volunteers of NMLC believe in humane care for stranded marine animals, thoughtful science that improves our understanding of wildlife health, and quality education programs that promote a conservation ethic. We carry out our work with respect for each other, our supporters, our partner organizations, our community, and the environment.
Cape Cod is a stranding hotspot. Hundreds of marine animals strand alive and in need of medical care every year. The National Marine Life Center is meeting that need. Our core mission is to rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. We believe that through rehabilitation, we can help individual animals, learn more about marine animal species and wildlife disease, and share what we learn to promote ocean conservation.
In 2004, the National Marine Life Center rehabilitated our first patient, a loggerhead sea turtle named “Eco.” Each year since, NMLC has achieved new milestones in rehabilitation including the admission and release of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the most endangered sea turtle in the world, and the admission and release of our first seal patient. Recently, we released our 100th seal patient! Through rehabilitation, we can help individual animals, learn more about marine animal species and wildlife disease, and share what we learn to promote ocean conservation.
