Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is proud to announce it has been awarded over $25,000 through the Sea Turtle Grants Program, funded by a portion of the proceeds from Florida’s Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate. This vital funding has enabled the purchase of essential necropsy equipment to enhance CMA’s sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation efforts.
The grant specifically supported the acquisition of a new, state-of-the-art necropsy table. Necropsies—the animal equivalent of human autopsies—are vital in determining cause of death, investigating disease, and identifying mortality trends in sea turtle populations. These insights play a crucial role in advancing sea turtle conservation and improving rehabilitation practices.
The new necropsy table offers a significantly larger surface area and includes a hydraulic lift system, a feature not available in CMA’s previous setup. This addition has greatly improved both safety and ergonomics for the aquarium’s animal health team, particularly when working with large adult sea turtles.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the Sea Turtle Grants Program,” said Dr. Kerry McNally, Research Scientist and Rehabilitation Manager at CMA. “This new equipment has dramatically improved our workflow and ability to conduct thorough evaluations of deceased turtles.
Florida’s Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate was created in 1997 to promote the conservation and protection of Florida’s sea turtles and their habitats. The Sea Turtle Grants Program distributes funds annually to organizations across the state that are committed to sea turtle research, education, and rehabilitation.
For more information on the Sea Turtle Grants Program and how to support sea turtle conservation by purchasing a specialty plate, visit www.helpingseaturtles.org.