Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Have you ever visited a new place and needed some time to get your bearings? A long car ride, a new bed to sleep in, new people to get to know…it can all be a little overwhelming! Our manatee patients have gone through something similar in their journey to CMA’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center. Now that Yeti and Zamboni are in their new temporary home, we've been giving them time to acclimate to their surroundings. Our manatee rehab team are continuously monitoring their eating, pooping, breathing, and swimming patterns to determine how they are feeling post-transport.

Hurricane Debby had a significant impact on our sea turtle nests in Pinellas County. Tune in to learn what CMA's sea turtle nesting team is doing to protect and recover turtles in need.

We were heartbroken to learn about the passing of Dr. Brian Davis, president and CEO of Georgia Aquarium. Today the zoo and aquarium industry lost a visionary leader who touched the hearts and minds of all who had the opportunity to know him. Brian was a passionate man who was dedicated to conversation efforts and educating the world about the role aquariums played in conversation both in his role at Georgia Aquarium and as the former AZA chairman of the board of directors. Our hearts are with Brian’s family and everyone at Georgia Aquarium. 

Manatees on the move! Tuesday morning, Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed Yeti and Zamboni, our inaugural Manatee Rehabilitation Center patients, to their temporary home. Yeti and Zamboni will now undergo an acclimation period where their behavior will be closely monitored to ensure their transition to our facility is an easy one! During this time, our manatee patients will not be viewable to the public. Stay tuned for updates! Donate to support our manatee care efforts. https://lnkd.in/e_XXK2D9

This morning, Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed the first two manatee patients to our Manatee Rehabilitation Center. Say hello to Yeti and Zamboni! These animals have been receiving critical care at ZooTampa at Lowry Park through the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership and have been steadily recovering and gaining weight. They will be finishing out their rehabilitation journey with us and will hopefully be released back to the wild this winter! Yeti was rescued by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, ZooTampa, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for cold stress in Kings Bay, Citrus County, Florida on February 15, 2024. He was 205 centimeters long and weighed 365 pounds at the time of his rescue. Zamboni was rescued for cold stress by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and ZooTampa in Placida Bayou, Pinellas County, Florida on January 25, 2024. He was 200 centimeters long and weighed 306 pounds at the time of his rescue. Yeti and Zamboni will now undergo an acclimation period where their behavior will be closely monitored to ensure their transition to our facility is an easy one! During this time, the manatees will not be viewable to the public. We appreciate your patience as we put the well-being of the animals first. Stay tuned for updates! Donate to support our manatee care efforts. https://lnkd.in/e_XXK2D9 All activities conducted under USFWS Permit #MA66524C.

Bye bye Baldwin! CMA’s Kemp’s ridley sea turtle patient was released by University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue this past week. This sub-adult turtle was found severely entangled in fishing line. Due to the severity of the entanglement, Baldwin’s left front flipper was almost completely detached and required amputation. The turtle had also ingested fishing line that was too far in the gastrointestinal tract to be removed orally. With the aid of gastrointestinal motility medications, Baldwin passed 300 cm of fishing line! Despite Baldwin's medical challenges, this turtle is now thriving and was able to be released back into the wild.

Congratulations to Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Chief Operating Officer Anthony Rivera for being recognized by TITAN 100 as one of Tampa’s Top 100 CEOs & C-level executives! This prestigious award recognizes the area’s most accomplished business leaders in the industry. Collectively, the 2024 Tampa Titan 100 honorees and their companies employ upwards of 55,000 individuals and generate over $24 Billion in annual revenues.

Experience a tropical luau at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s end-of-summer celebration! Enjoy live entertainment, Hawaiian cuisine, and mesmerizing marine life in an enchanting atmosphere. Join us for an unforgettable night under the stars, bidding farewell to summer in true island style.

Pinellas county just made sea turtle hatchling history! The first documented leatherback nest on Pinellas county beaches has successfully hatched. Tune in to learn more about this historic occasion.

There's so much to explore at CMA this #PlasticFreeJuly! Come see Washed Ashore before it leaves CMA next Wednesday, enjoy a plastic free lunch at Shark Bites, and shop items that feature recycled plastic! Get tickets www.cmaquarium.org.