The new Manatee Rehabilitation Center will allow CMA to accept the influx of manatees in need of care.
Animal Habitat Details
- Species in this Area
- Florida Manatees
We are welcoming visitors to the new Manatee Rehabilitation Center now! Access is included with General Admission.
Manatee Viewing
Manatee viewing is available for guests through our underwater manatee viewing windows in the Manatee Rehabilitation Center. Manatee viewing during acclimation may be limited through barriers to avoid direct human interaction with the manatees that will eventually return to the wild.
Please Note:
- This is a working marine life hospital.
- Please maintain a quiet atmosphere and refrain from using flash photography in the Manatee Rehabilitation Center.
- Stanchions or other barriers may be in place to limit human interaction during acclimation.
- Manatees may not always be visible to guests while they are receiving care or spending time in other areas of the habitat.
- The manatees in our care have been rescued for various reasons and will continue their rehabilitation with us until they are ready for release back into the wild.
Your admission ticket supports our efforts to protect this keystone species.
Manatee Rehabilitation Center Updates
- 9.28.24
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During Hurricane Helene, Clearwater Marine Aquarium was flooded with over 4 feet of water, lost power for an extended period, and vital equipment was damaged by the salt water, including some of our life support systems (LSS). Our facilities team is working diligently to make repairs and get everything operational as quickly as possible.
In an abundance of caution for the two manatee patients, Yeti and Zamboni have been safely transported from CMA back to ZooTampa at Lowry Park , Saturday morning. Once CMA’s systems are fully operational, we will coordinate with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership and FWC to determine when manatees will return to CMA.
- 9.23.24
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s manatee rehab patients Yeti and Zamboni had their first check-up since coming into our care in July! During this exam, the team was able to gather updated measurements, weights, heart rate, and gather blood samples of the animals. The check-up went smoothly, and we look forward to the eventual release of these animals back to the wild!
Thanks to our partners who assisted with this effort: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
- 8.11.24
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The two juvenile manatees that arrived at Clearwater Marine Aquarium on July 30 have been adapting quickly to their new surroundings in the Manatee Rehabilitation Center. Yeti and Zamboni have been under close observation over the past 12 days to monitor their behavior and ensure they are acclimating and eating well in their new environment.
We will begin welcoming visitors to the Manatee Rehabilitation Center starting August 11. Visitors will be able to view manatees through our underwater viewing area with barriers to limit human interaction. We ask visitors to maintain a quiet atmosphere and refrain from flash photography while walking through our marine life hospital. Our goal is to prepare these manatees for their eventual release in the winter and provide them the best chance for success in the wild.
Your visit helps support our rescue, rehab, release and conservation efforts to protect these animals, and we are excited to invite you to be part of our mission and discover the wonder of manatees.
- 7.30.24
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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 & 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 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!
Manatee Acclimation
Rescued manatees arriving at CMA have been rehabilitating at other facilities through the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). After arrival, manatees will undergo an acclimation period where their behavior will be closely monitored to ensure their transition to the CMA facility is an easy one. During this initial acclimation time, while we focus on their well-being and adjustment to their new habitat, the manatees may not be viewable to the public.
Help Us, Help Them
Did you know? Manatees consume 10-20% of their body weight daily depending on age and size. At CMA, our manatee patients are constantly snacking on fresh romaine, endive, and escarole. With your support, we can rehabilitate these animals back to a healthy weight so that they can be released back into the wild.
You can support CMA’s manatee rehabilitation center by making a tax-deductible donation, today!
Building the Manatee Rehabilitation Center
Clearwater Marine Aquarium opened its new Manatee Rehabilitation Center to receive manatees in need of care.
This new addition is the first phase of our Rising Tides expansion plan.
Manatee Rehabilitation Center Construction:
Learn more about Rising Tides, CMA”s multi-year expansion plan, and how you can help make this comprehensive campaign a reality through your support.
Ways to Help Manatees
- Report distressed, sick, injured or dead manatees to CMA’s Rescue Hotline at 727-441-1790 ext. 1 in Tampa Bay or FWC 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) across Florida.
- Help reduce algae growth by limiting fertilizer use and following local regulations.
- Practice safe boating for manatees and seagrasses by slowing down in manatee zones and avoiding seagrass beds.
- Wear polarized sunglasses while boating and designate a spotter to watch out for marine life.
- Support organizations working to rescue and protect manatees in the wild. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a proud member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), comprised of partner organizations dedicated to the conservation of manatees.
All activities authorized by USFWS and conducted under USFWS Permit #MA66524C and USFWS Research Permit # MA37808A-2.
Become a Member & Support Manatee Care
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