Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida has started building its new centre for manatee rehabilitation.
The new centre means the aquarium can accept the influx of manatees in need of restorative care and affected by the state’s unusual mortality event (UME).
It will care for manatees recovering from the effects of seagrass and habitat loss, red tide exposure, boat strike wounds and cold stress syndrome.
The rehabilitation centre will utilise technology such as ozone treatment and medical habitats with false bottoms for the comfort of the marine mammals and safety of the animal care staff.
“Clearwater Marine Aquarium is committed to the conservation and protection of manatees, and the aquarium plays a vital role in this effort,” said Joe Handy, the aquarium’s CEO.Â
“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 these magnificent creatures in their native waters.”
Per a press release, manatees are vulnerable to extinction and play a vital role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems.
Through its new centre, Clearwater Marine Aquarium hopes to educate visitors about manatees and their conservation status. Guests will learn about the threats facing manatees and discover what they can do to protect them.
Manatees in need of restorative care
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is already home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, and a nurse shark.
It carries out important research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles via its research institute.
In 2021, the aquarium welcomed a rescued dolphin named Apollo who was unable to return to the wild due to hearing loss.
Apollo lives in the dolphin complex where Winter, a bottlenose dolphin with a prosthetic tail, once lived.
Images: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
