DEKAMER was founded in 2008 to address the increasing number of sea turtles injured in the Dalyan delta area.
The center utilizes satellite tracking technology to monitor the migration patterns of rehabilitated turtles after release.
Iztuzu Beach, where the hospital is located, is protected under the Special Environmental Protection Area status.
Many of the turtles treated at the facility suffer from 'floating syndrome' caused by boat collisions, which prevents them from diving for food.
The center operates a long-term research program collecting data on sea turtle population genetics in the Mediterranean.
Rehabilitated turtles that cannot return to the wild due to permanent injuries remain at the center as educational ambassadors.
DEKAMER provides emergency intervention services for sea turtles found along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey.
Kaplumbağa Hastanesi, known formally as DEKAMER (Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center), is a specialized facility dedicated to the medical treatment and conservation of injured Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas sea turtles. Located on Iztuzu Beach, the center operates under a protocol between the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Pamukkale University. The facility features a triage center, multiple rehabilitation pools, and an education wing to inform the public about marine ecology. Injured turtles are brought here primarily due to boat propeller strikes, fishing net entanglement, or plastic ingestion. Once rehabilitated, turtles are tagged and released back into the Mediterranean Sea. The site actively monitors the nesting grounds of Iztuzu Beach, one of the most critical turtle habitats in Turkey. It functions as both an active veterinary clinic and a scientific research station.
The viewing area overlooking the main rehabilitation pools offers the clearest perspective of the turtles in care.
Follow all marked paths carefully to avoid disturbing nesting sites on the beach.
Check the official DEKAMER website for recent news on public release events, which allow visitors to witness turtles returning to the sea.
Maintain a quiet demeanor to minimize stress for the animals currently under treatment.
Do not attempt to touch the turtles or feed them, as this interferes with their rehabilitation and health protocols.
Maintain silence near the rehabilitation pools; do not use flash photography near the tanks; adhere strictly to designated visitor zones.
