Clearwater Marine Aquarium reports ‘catastrophic’ damage

Just two months after they arrived at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s new rehabilitation facility, the Florida manatees Yeti and Zamboni have been trucked back across the bay to ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

The juvenile mammals (estimated between 1 and 3 years old) spent six months at the Tampa center before their late-July arrival in Clearwater, where they were being fed, exercised and cared for – the last stop before they’d be deemed healthy enough for re-release into the wild.

Yeti and Zamboni were temporarily returned to Tampa “out of an abundance of caution” as aquarium staff assess the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene. Chief Biological Officer James “Buddy” Powell” cited “catastrophic damage,” and said that “most” of the facility’s life support systems had been destroyed.

Floodwaters inside the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is adjacent to Clearwater Bay, rose to four feet.

CMA also houses and treats a dozen or more injured sea turtles at any given time, all endangered or threatened species. The turtles were sent, temporarily, to the Coastal Stewards at Gumbo Limbo Center, operated by Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton.

“We’re in immediate/urgent need of (a) -80 ultralow lab grade freezer, if anyone has contacts with medical facilities that may have a backup or surplus one to lend,” Powell announced on Instagram.

“As well, donations would be gratefully received.”

There were no reported effects on CMA’s resident dolphins. In a Facebook post, CMA staff announced that “some animals have been moved within the facility to ensure they are secure while we address impacts to their habitats.”

Clearwater Marine Aquarium remains closed to the public until further notice.

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Pre-Helene: The viewing window at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center.