Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Blog & News

Manatee Tracking – Shawty

An eight-and-a-half-foot small adult male manatee named Shawty was located and tagged on May 2, 2024 at Cumberland Island, Georgia through the collaborative effort between Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), Georgia Aquarium (GAQ), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) and other organizations. Shawty received a full health assessment checkup from GAQ and CMARI veterinarian staff and was outfitted with a GPS satellite tag to closely monitor his travels as part of our manatee Northern Atlantic Coast Manatee Movement study.

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It’s Shark Week at Clearwater Marine Aquarium!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium will present its Shark Week lineup for the week of July 7-14 and it’s got quite a bite to it. CMA will introduce guests to one of its new veterinarians, Dr. Chelsea Anderson, who has a decade of experience in elasmobranch (shark and rays) health care, and will help educate guests about the medical management of sharks during a routine ultrasound and why conservation of sharks is important.

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Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Baldwin

Baldwin is a subadult, kemp’s ridley who was found entangled in fishing line affecting both front flippers and additionally ingested the fishing line. Due to the severity of the entanglement, Baldwin’s left front flipper was barely attached to the body still. Our veterinarian quickly amputated the left front flipper and applied wound care at intake. Sea turtles are still releasable with missing one front flipper. It is extremely important to dispose of your fishing line appropriately as it can affect wildlife in a variety of ways! Over the next few days, we will be conducting wound care and performing more diagnostics regarding the ingested fishing line.

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Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Austin

Austin is a large, juvenile green sea turtle who was found floating near the Gandy bridge in Hillsborough county. Austin is missing their right rear flipper and has a partial amputation to the left rear flipper. They also have deformities to their caudal carapace, all are healed and from a previous traumatic event. Our team will be performing diagnostics over the next few days to help determine the cause of their buoyancy issues.

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Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Chicago

Chicago is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found offshore near Taylor county entangled in fishing line and additionally ingested the line offshore. There was a small hook that was attached to the fishing line that was embedded in tissue of the left front flipper. They have a minor case of fibropapilloma tumors and are otherwise in great body condition. An endoscopy was performed to help visualize the fishing line, and our vet team was able to remove the line during the endoscopy! We are hopeful for a quick turnaround!

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Manatee Tracking – Yearwood

A ten-foot adult male manatee named Yearwood was located and tagged on April 30, 2024 in Beach Creek near Cumberland Island, Georgia through the collaborative effort between Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), Georgia Aquarium (GAQ), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) and other organizations. Yearwood received a full health assessment checkup from GAQ and CMARI veterinarian staff and was outfitted with a GPS satellite tag to closely monitor his travels as part of our manatee Northern Atlantic Coast Manatee Movement study.

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium Rolls Out AquaSkate Family Roller-Skating Party

Join Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Saturday, July 13, as we transform the Aquarium into a neon paradise that recreates the ‘80s. Lace up your skates and hit the rink for some freestyle fun in front of the Window of Wonder (make sure you wave to our resident dolphins on the other side of the Window). From 7 to 10 p.m., guests will create unforgettable memories at this totally tubular event!

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Five Sea Turtles Released by CMA After Rehabilitation 

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is excited to announce that five of its rescued green sea turtles have been released after receiving care from CMA rehabilitation and veterinary teams. Each of their stories reveal the persistence and resilience of marine animals, inspiring CMA to never give up on those that need our help.  

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Manatee Tracking – LilJon

An eight-foot subadult male manatee named LilJon was located and tagged on May 2, 2024 at Cumberland Island, Georgia through the collaborative effort between Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), Georgia Aquarium (GAQ), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) and other organizations. LilJon received a full health assessment checkup from GAQ and CMARI veterinarian staff and was outfitted with a GPS satellite tag to closely monitor his travels as part of our manatee Northern Atlantic Coast Manatee Movement study.

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