Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

Located in Surf City, NC, Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center is a 501(c)(3) mission-driven wildlife hospital dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and returning sick or injured sea turtles to the ocean. Named in memory of Karen Beasley, who championed ocean conservation and public outreach, the center has treated thousands of native and endangered turtle species, including Loggerheads, Green turtles, and Kemp’s Ridleys.

Mission & Impact

• Rescue & Rehab – 24/7 turtle rescue hotline; field teams respond immediately to strandings and boat-struck turtles.
• Rehabilitation – Features a state‑of‑the‑art aquatic care facility with heated pools, surgery suites, and medical diagnostics.
• Release & Monitoring – When sea turtles are ready, they’re tagged and released locally; many are tracked to study migration and survival rates.
• Education & Community Involvement – Offers school outreach, beach ecology programs, and volunteer opportunities—engaging thousands each year in coastal stewardship.

Key Services

• Emergency hotline for distressed turtles
• Long-term medical and surgical care
• Nutritional and physiotherapy treatment
• Public facility tours (by appointment)
• Virtual and on-site educational lessons for schools and groups