The new center at CMA represents a major step
forward in manatee conservation
CLEARWATER, Fla., Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
opened its Manatee Rehabilitation Center today, heralding a
significant milestone for the Aquarium. This state-of-the-art
facility will help accommodate the surge in manatees requiring
care. CMA will provide assistance to sick, injured or orphaned
manatees which includes individuals affected by habitat loss, boat
strike wounds, ingestion of foreign objects, entanglements and cold
stress syndrome. Equipped with the latest technology, including
ozone treatment and medical habitats with false bottoms, the center
is designed to ensure the comfort and well-being of these gentle
sea creatures.
This state-of-the-art facility will help
accommodate the surge in manatees requiring care.
"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," said Joe Handy, CEO of
Clearwater Marine Aquarium. "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 Handy.
"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 first two manatee patients were recently welcomed and both
transported from ZooTampa at Lowry Park, which like CMA, is also a
member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership
(MRP). ZooTampa, along with SeaWorld Orlando and Jacksonville Zoo
and Gardens are critical care facilities for manatee
rehabilitation. Two of those facilities have at least 20 manatees
currently receiving care, so their transfer to CMA helps alleviate
the critical care bed space. CMA will be moving toward accepting
critical care cases in the near future after its surgical suite is
renovated, enlarged and equipped to allow for manatee surgical
needs.
The first patients are:
YETI - Yeti was rescued by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, ZooTampa and U.S. Fish and Wildlife for cold stress in
Kings Bay, Citrus County, Florida
on Feb. 15, 2024. He was 205
centimeters long and weighed 365 pounds at the time of his rescue.
Yeti was transported to ZooTampa at Lowry Park for critical care
and was transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for continued
rehabilitation. He is currently 216 centimeters long and weighs 495
pounds.
ZAMBONI - Zamboni was rescued for cold stress by
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission and ZooTampa in Placida Bayou, Pinellas County, Florida on Jan. 25, 2024. He was 200 centimeters long and
weighed 306 pounds at the time of his rescue. Zamboni was
transported to ZooTampa at Lowry Park for critical care and
transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for continued
rehabilitation. He is currently 208 centimeters long and weighs 440
pounds.
Manatees are a flagship species and indicators of the health of
their aquatic natural habitat, playing a vital role to the
ecosystem. As stewards of this threatened species, CMA's goal is to
educate guests about manatees and their conservation status.
Visitors can learn about the threats to manatees and what they can
do to help protect them. Coupled with educational experiences, the
public will have the opportunity to observe the manatees and CMA's
work to provide care.
For over two decades, CMA has assisted in rescuing, releasing
and tracking manatees around the world. In 2019, the aquarium
introduced a new Research Institute division, encompassing the
staff and programs of the former Sea to Shore Alliance
organization. The intent of CMA Research Institute (CMARI) is to
broaden the conservation and research scope of CMA,
resulting in advancements toward the protection of species and
habitats both locally and globally. Dr. James "Buddy" Powell, chief
zoological officer for CMA, and executive director of CMARI, has
worked to protect manatees around the globe for more than 50 years
through field study and scientific research.
"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," said Dr. Powell. "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," said Dr. Powell. "We are profoundly grateful to
the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership for
their partnership and shared commitment to saving this
species."
Accompanying the new Manatee Rehabilitation Center, a dedicated
team will be tasked with the crucial responsibility of providing
expert care to these animals in need. From veterinarians to
research scientists to field assistants. Some of the professionals
on this team include:
- Dr. James "Buddy" Powell, chief zoological officer - For
over 50 years, Dr. Powell has been a leading authority in manatee
research and conservation, dedicating his career to their
protection and that of other endangered species worldwide.
Beginning as a biologist and manatee specialist with the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service, he later conducted groundbreaking research
on manatees for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS),
contributing to the establishment of coastal protected areas in
Florida, Central America, and Cuba. Dr. Powell's expertise has been
recognized with prestigious awards such as the Pew Award in Marine
Conservation. His work continues to inspire conservation efforts
globally.
- Dr. Shelly
Marquardt, chief veterinarian: Dr.
Marquardt has an extensive background in manatee care that
spans over a decade. Her aquatic medicine career began with
manatees in Crystal River. She
immersed herself in the annual field assessments of the wintering
manatee population, becoming an expert in the intricacies of their
health and field procedures. After joining the team at Clearwater
Marine Aquarium, Dr. Marquardt eagerly joined the
rescue team, diving into the frontline efforts to rescue manatees
in collaboration with esteemed organizations like Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission and University of Florida.
Her commitment to manatee welfare has been unwavering, and she is
passionate about bringing her wealth of experience full circle,
ensuring that manatee care continues to evolve and thrive both in
the field and beyond.
- Tanya Ward, manatee
care manager: Tanya started her career volunteering at CMA
in various departments including the rescue team, the sea
turtle department, and the Full Circle Program which led to a
full-time job with the Full Circle Program, a grant-based program
working with at-risk youth in an animal- assisted therapy
setting. Through volunteer and full-time work at CMA,
she then worked at Lowry Park Zoo,
(ZooTampa), where she worked in the David A.
Straz, Jr. Manatee Hospital for 10
years.
After ZooTampa, she moved to
Colorado in 2013 working at
Colorado State University in its
veterinary equine teaching hospital. She returned to Clearwater in 2014, working at Busch Gardens
Tampa Bay. She continued her volunteer work at CMA as
a rescue team member on manatee calls as well as other marine life
and with CMA Research Institute.
- Monica Ross, Director of
Manatee Research and Conservation - With over 30 years of research
experience, Monica is a leading authority in manatee behavior,
adaptation and habitat use.. Her career began as an aquatic
specialist focused on marine mammal cognitive behavior at Walt
Disney World. She then focused her career on helping manatees while
working at the State of Florida's
Florida Marine Research Institute. She has been instrumental in
providing valuable data and expertise input to state and federal
agencies for developing and enhancing manatee habitat protection
measures. Monica's research extends to habitat health and
enhancement strategies, reflecting her commitment to the well-being
of these gentle giants.
To date, CMARI has tagged and monitored 100 manatees for the
Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). The data gathered over
the past 20 years is vital to ensuring the future health of
rehabilitated manatees and ensuring the future success of the
species. CMARI scientists not only monitor rehabilitated manatees
as partners in the MRP but study the movement patterns of tagged
wild manatees throughout the southeast United States and Caribbean to better understand changing
migration patterns and shifts in habitats selected for survival
within the manatee population overall.
Funding for this project is made possible by the State of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, Duke Energy Foundation, John H. Prescott Marine Mammal
Rescue Assistance Grant Program and numerous private donors.
Media Contact: Marsha
Strickhouser,
mstrickhouser@cmaquarium.org (727) 242-0770
About Clearwater Marine Aquarium:
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human
spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue,
rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the
environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins,
sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark, and more.
Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts
important global research focused on protecting manatees, North
Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin
Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true
stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring
millions around the world. The mission and potential to change
people's lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any
other aquarium in the world. CMAquarium.org
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