Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Blog & News

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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Manatee Tracking – Sawyer

A nine-and-a-half-foot adult male manatee named Sawyer was located and tagged on May 3, 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. Sawyer 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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Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Topaz

Topaz is a large, subadult Kemp’s ridley, who was found entangled in fishing line near Fort Desoto on June 4. The fisherman who found Topaz reported that they were struggling to surface. Upon the rescue, it was observed that the fishing line was attached to a large crab trap that was pulling Topaz underwater, increasing their risk of drowning. Topaz has a ligature injury on their right front flipper from the entanglement but is otherwise in good body condition.

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Manatee Tracking – Latke

Latke was released back to the Welaka area in the St. Johns River on March 26, 2024. CMARI tagged Latke for their Northern Atlantic Coast Manatee Study along the east coast of the United States and as part of a cooperative study with state and federal agencies to assess manatee movement and habitat use as a result of the Unusual Mortality Event.

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