Rehabilitation centre expands capacity to care for complex marine wildlife cases, with a new focus on sea turtles and international conservation work
Zoomarine has completed a €1.1 million upgrade of Porto d’Abrigo, its marine species rehabilitation centre in Guia, expanding its ability to care for injured and vulnerable marine wildlife before returning them to the ocean.
The upgraded facility is now fully operational, with improved clinical and monitoring areas designed to support more demanding rehabilitation cases, particularly sea turtles.
Founded in 2002, Porto d’Abrigo was the first marine species rehabilitation centre in Portugal. Working alongside the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), the centre has carried out more than 742 interventions up to 2025, including sea rescues and rehabilitation admissions, with many animals successfully released back into their natural habitat.
The centre’s new phase begins with the arrival of Molly, a 120kg adult loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) transferred from Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Ireland.
Her journey to the Algarve was supported by TAP Air Portugal as part of an international collaboration focused on preparing her for release back into the wild.
Molly’s rehabilitation programme will focus on essential survival behaviours, including natural feeding, diving patterns and navigation. Release will only happen once veterinary and behavioural assessments confirm she is ready for life in the ocean.
Antonieta Nunes, veterinary nurse in charge of Porto d’Abrigo at Zoomarine, said the investment marks a significant step forward in the centre’s capacity to respond to increasingly complex cases. “This investment allows us to work with greater efficiency in rehabilitation and scientific knowledge,” she added.
Maria Foley, Head Animal Manager at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, in Ireland, said: “After so many years of dedicated care from our team, it is extremely meaningful to combine our experience with the Zoomarine team to make this release possible. This is a special moment for everyone involved in the project.”
Molly joins a growing list of successful rehabilitation cases at the centre, including large sea turtles that have previously been released back into the Atlantic after long-term recovery and satellite tracking, with recorded journeys to Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean.
The refurbishment also strengthens wider marine conservation work in the Algarve, reinforcing Zoomarine’s role in education, research and wildlife protection.
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