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Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working animal hospital dedicated to the rescue. rehabilitation, and release of marine life and a leader in research and conservation efforts to protect animals in the wild. Donate to support our mission today!

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Blog & News

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Receives New Necropsy Table Funded by the Sea Turtle Grants Program

Sea Turtles Announcements Posted April 16, 2025

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.

Previous Post: Clearwater Marine Aquarium to Present “Disco Under the Sea” at AquaGala Fundraiser, April 26
Next Post: “Oceania Couture” Fashion Performance to Benefit Marine Life at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

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