Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) marked a major milestone today with the grand opening of its Manatee Rehabilitation Center, a cutting-edge facility designed to address the growing need for manatee care. This new center will play an important role in rehabilitating sick, injured, and orphaned manatees, including those suffering from habitat loss, boat strikes, foreign object ingestion, entanglement, and cold stress syndrome. The facility is equipped with advanced technology, such as ozone treatment and specialized medical habitats, to ensure the comfort and recovery of these gentle marine mammals.
“Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been committed to the conservation and protection of manatees for over 20 years. Thanks to our dedicated supporters, this vision has become a reality,” said Joe Handy, CEO of CMA. “Our team is ready to extend our efforts from research and monitoring to active rehabilitation. Whether it’s in local Florida waters or international sites like Belize and Cuba, our mission is to safeguard this keystone species. By educating our visitors and supporting research and rescue efforts, we hope to make a lasting impact on the survival of these majestic creatures.”
The center’s first two manatee patients, Yeti and Zamboni, were recently transferred from ZooTampa at Lowry Park, a fellow member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). With two other major manatee rehabilitation centers currently caring for over 20 manatees each, CMA’s new facility helps alleviate the pressure on these critical care spaces. As CMA continues to expand its capabilities, including plans to renovate and enhance its surgical suite, it will soon be able to accept more critical care cases.
Yeti and Zamboni’s journeys to recovery began with their rescue earlier this year due to cold stress. Yeti, rescued from Kings Bay, Citrus County, weighed 365 pounds at the time and now weighs a healthier 495 pounds. Zamboni, found in Placida Bayou, Pinellas County, has grown from 306 pounds to 440 pounds under the care of CMA.
Manatees are a flagship species, vital to the health of their aquatic ecosystems. As stewards of this endangered species, CMA’s mission is to educate the public about the threats manatees face and the importance of their conservation. Visitors to the aquarium will not only learn about these issues but will also have the opportunity to observe the manatees as they receive care and rehabilitation.
For over two decades, CMA has been at the forefront of manatee rescue, release, and tracking efforts worldwide. In 2019, the aquarium expanded its conservation efforts by launching the CMA Research Institute (CMARI), which builds on the legacy of the Sea to Shore Alliance. Under the leadership of Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, a pioneer in manatee research, CMARI is focused on advancing the protection of species and habitats globally.
“The opening of the Manatee Rehabilitation Center represents the culmination of years of dedication to manatee conservation,” said Dr. Powell, CMA’s chief zoological officer and executive director of CMARI. “We have always been involved in rescue and research, but now we are taking the critical step of providing direct care for manatees in need. Through our work, we gain valuable insights into manatee behavior and needs, which allows us to develop more effective conservation strategies. We are deeply grateful to the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership for their support and shared commitment to protecting this species.”
To date, CMARI has tagged and monitored 100 manatees as part of the MRP, gathering essential data to ensure the future health and survival of the species. The insights gained from studying both rehabilitated and wild manatees will continue to inform conservation strategies and efforts to protect these iconic animals.
With the opening of the Manatee Rehabilitation Center, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is poised to make an even greater impact on the conservation and survival of manatees, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and protect these gentle giants.
