• ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspective
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 LIVE!™
Insights
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Client Handouts
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2022 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2022 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

$3.5 million given to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for manatee rehabilitation pool

June 17, 2022
dvm360 Staff

Florida Governor Desantis signed the funds over to help enhance and expand the State's manatee acute care facilities

According to an organizational release,1 Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) received $3.5 million to fund the construction of new manatee rehabilitation pools, as well as extended manatee research. The funds are part of a record $20 million set to enhance and expand the State's manatee acute care facilities and to restore spring access and habitat restoration in manatee concentrated areas.

CMA plans to break ground by the end of this summer on a 20'x 30' rehabilitation pool at its Island Estates location. When completed, the pools will hold two manatee patients at a time.

"For over a decade, Clearwater Marine Aquarium has assisted in rescuing, transporting, releasing, and tracking wild manatees with our colleagues in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership and throughout the Caribbean," said president and executive director, James "Buddy" Powell, in the release.1

"We are absolutely thrilled that we are now able to establish a new manatee research and rehabilitation facility here in Pinellas County," he continued.

The acute care facility at CMA is part of a three-phase Manatee Survival Plan announced earlier this year. The second phase includes the construction of three manatee rehabilitation pools at CMA's Fred Howard Park location in Tarpon Springs and the final phase involves a $10 million state-of-the-art facility back at CMA's Island Estates location.

At least 575 manatees have died this year through June 3, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last year, 1,101 manatees died, more than any year on record. This increased mortality rate is because of the dying vegetation on the Florida coast. The manatee diet consists of over 100 pounds of underwater vegetation per day. Due to environmental issues in these areas, the lack of seagrasses results in these manatees dying of starvation.2

In the Indian River Lagoon specifically, it has been estimated by researchers in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that almost 90% of the seagrass in this area has died off.2

"Saving Florida's manatees takes immense coordination, resources, and partnerships," Powell added. "Clearwater Marine Aquarium is committed to this mission and our team of researchers, biologists, and veterinarians are ready to assist with the continued influx of manatees affected by habitat loss, red tide, boat injuries, and cold stress syndrome."

"Clearwater Marine Aquarium is exceptionally positioned to establish manatee rehabilitation facilities in Pinellas County. We have all seen the devastating news about record manatee deaths, reversing this will take immense coordination, resources, and partnerships," said the Mayor of Clearwater, Florida, Frank Hibbard, in the release.

"As a leader in the marine biology field, they are the forefront experts in manatee conservation and protection along with marine life rescue, rehabilitation, and release.”1

References

  1. Clearwater Marine Aquarium receives $3.5 million for manatee research and rehabilitation pools. News release. Clearwater Marine Aquarium. June 16, 2022. Accessed June 17, 2022. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clearwater-marine-aquarium-receives-3-5-million-for-manatee-research-and-rehabilitation-pools-301569718.html
  2. Manatees continue to struggle here in Florida. Ecology Florida. Published February 24, 2022. Accessed June 17, 2022. https://www.ecologyflorida.org/2022/02/manatess-continue-to-struggle-here-in-florida/

Related Content:

Exotic Animal Medicine
Rare Przewalski's horse foal born at an England zoo
Rare Przewalski's horse foal born at an England zoo
New veterinary medicine specialty proposed
New veterinary medicine specialty proposed
The rise in tick-borne diseases and more veterinary news
The rise in tick-borne diseases and more veterinary news

Latest News

A pet pig patient requires these items to be stocked for proper care

Rare Przewalski's horse foal born at an England zoo

3 Must-reads from DIVM

Shepherd Veterinary Software debuts new pet portal

View More Latest News