VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Over the years, the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet has rescued thousands of injured animals and rehabilitated them and returned the creatures back into the wild.

Education manager Shell Webster said sick or injured sea turtles come are brought to the marine center all the time.

“So essentially, that is our mission, is to treat sick and injured wildlife" Webster said. "We have helped 26,000 (turtles) and 19,000 birds since 2002, so it’s amazing."

What many might not know about the rescue center is that it’s open to the public and anyone can come and get up close to sea life.

There is a viewing center located in the facility, and a turtle hospital where guests can see sea turtles that have been rescued and are being nursed back to health.

“So, when the loggerheads come in, their blood sugar levels are often really low,” said Webster.

Webster said she loves to show off the marine center to guests and teach them about Florida’s diverse marine population.

“So, when the guests come, they have a journey through the ecosystems of Florida, starting with our amazing estuaries and ending with the touch tank of the ocean,” she said.

What makes the marine center special is that guests are encouraged to get close to marine animals and hopefully touch some of them during the visit.

One of the highlights for visitors is their stingray touch tank, where guests can hand feed stingrays and often bamboo sharks.

“Our touch tank has a variety of animals," Webster said. "And the stingrays are used of being touched and fed."

The Marine Science Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And Sunday, 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The cost is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 3-12. Children younger than 2 get in for free.