Manatee rehabilitation center opens in Florida

Yeti and Zamboni, the first 2 manatees in the new rehabilitation center (Image courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) recently opened the doors of its brand-new Manatee Rehabilitation Center. The new state-of-the-art facility will accommodate the number of manatees that are sick, injured, or orphaned as well as manatees affected by boat strike wounds, ingestion of foreign objects, habitat loss, and entanglement and cold stress syndrome.

"Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been dedicated to the conservation and protection of manatees for over two decades. Thanks to our donors, guests, and sponsors, this vision is now a reality. We are the first responders of the ocean, from research to monitoring, and now rehabilitation. From international waters like Belize, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, to our own local Florida waters, we are ready to protect this keystone species," said Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, in an organizational release.¹

"By educating our visitors and supporting research and rescue efforts, we can make a real difference in the survival of these gentle giants. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to appreciate and admire manatees in their native waters."

The facility is equipped with some of the latest technology, including ozone treatment and medical habitats with false bottoms, and its surgical suite is currently being renovated, enlarged, and equipped with all manatees surgical needs.

According to the release,¹ the first 2 patients recently welcomed and transported from ZooTampa at Lowry Park, a member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) along with CMA. There are currently multiple facilities in Florida that serve as critical care centers for manatees, including Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as well as Seaworld Orlando. Some of these facilities have at least 20 manatees receiving care at their facilities. By transferring manatees to the new rehabilitation center, it will alleviate the critical care bed spaces for these facilities.

One of the 2 first patients is Yeti, who was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission, ZooTampa, and US Fish and Wildlife in the Kings Bay, Citrus County Florida, in February 2024. Yeti was rescue at 205 centimeters long and weighed 365 points at the time of his rescue. He was originally rescued to treat cold stress, and has been moved to the new center to continue his treatment. He currently is 216 centimeters and 495 pounds.

The second patient is Zamboni, who was rescued by y Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and ZooTampa in Placida Bayou, Pinellas County, Florida, in January 2024. At the time of his rescue, he was 200 centimeters long and weighed 306 pounds. Like Yeti, he was brought in for cold stress and will continue his rehabilitation at the CMA rehabilitation center. Now Zamboni is 208 centimeters and 440 pounds.

"The opening of the manatee care center symbolizes a complete journey for us, years in the making. Having already played a vital role in rescue, research, and monitoring of manatees, we now step into the crucial realm of providing direct care for their recovery and survival," expressed James ‘Buddy’ Powell, PhD, chief zoological officer for CMA, and executive director of the CMA Research Institute (CMARI).

"Global research and hands-on care are intertwined. Through studying manatees both in the wild and within our facility, we gain invaluable insights into their needs and behaviors, empowering us to craft more effective conservation strategies. We are profoundly grateful to the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership for their partnership and shared commitment to saving this species,” Powel continued.

CMARI was created to broaden research and conservation of the CMA to help protect species and habitats locally and globally. Led by Powel, the team has worked to protect manatees across the world for over 50 years with scientific research and field study. As of August 12, 2024, the CMARI monitored and tagged 100 manatees for the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership. Researchers do not only monitor rehabilitated manatees, but study the movements of tagged wild ones throughout the US and Caribbean as well. This helps researchers understand migration pattern changes and shifts in habitats.

The funding for this project was from the State of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Duke Energy Foundation, John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program as well as numerous private donors.

Reference

Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Manatee Rehabilitation Center Is Now Open. News release. Clearwater Marine Aquarium. August 12, 2024. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clearwater-marine-aquariums-manatee-rehabilitation-center-is-now-open-302220186.html