Aquarium To Turn Winter's Old Home Into Manatee Rescue Center

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Marine Aquarium is expanding its efforts in the fight to save manatees.

On Tuesday, the aquarium unveiled plans to transform the former Winter Zone into a habitat to rehabilitate manatees for release. Officials estimate it could cost nearly $10 million to renovate Winter the dolphin’s previous home into a site for manatee rehab and research.

“Right here, where Winter’s legacy began, a new legacy will emerge as Clearwater Marine Aquarium furthers our commitment to saving Florida’s iconic species, the manatee,” said CEO Frank Dame.

To commemorate the day, Clearwater Mayor Hibbard presented a signed proclamation naming Sept. 7 “Save the Manatee Day.”

“I appreciate that CMA educates our citizens and our visitors on maintaining the quality of our marine life; it’s so critically important,” said Hibbard.

This reveal comes on the heels of an announcement CMA made in July to open a rehabilitation center at its Fred Howard Park location in Tarpon Springs this winter. The location, originally built to rehab cetaceans (whales and dolphins), will be ready to accept the influx of manatees affected by the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event (UME) occurring on the east coast of Florida as well as those in need of care from boat strike wounds and cold stress syndrome. Collectively, CMA estimates it will add 12 more “beds” for manatees in need.

“The addition of both sites to the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership capacity broadens our duty as devoted stewards to the species as well as to our colleagues,” said Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, president and executive director of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium presented a check to Andy Garrett with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on behalf of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership for $10,000, on top of the annual dues the organization already pays to fund the partnership’s rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

“It takes all of us to protect and save our manatee population, and we hope this small donation encourages others to donate as well,” said Powell.

For more than a decade, Clearwater Marine Aquarium has assisted in rescuing, releasing and tracking wild manatees around the world. Together with current rehabilitation techniques gained from the experience of its partners in the MRP and knowledge gained from post-release monitoring, CMA’s rehabilitation efforts will focus on behavioral and welfare components to further manatees’ adaptation to the wild after they're released.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium has received $95,000 in federal funding to assist in the construction of the new manatee rehabilitation sites. It is seeking additional grants to help offset the costs. A fundraising campaign will also run through the duration of the construction. To donate, click here.

See related stories:

• Record Deaths Of Manatees Prompt Urgent Need For New Rehab Center
• Deaths Of Rare Sea Turtles, Manatees Attributed To Red Tide Toxin
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Unveils New Viewing Areas