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Hurricane Helene Effects on Conservation

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our conservation efforts faced both challenges and triumphs. Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to support crucial rescue operations and protect wildlife impacted by the storm. Here’s how your support has made a difference in these critical recovery efforts.

A young male manatee named Troy, estimated to be two or three years old, was stranded at the end of a runway at MacDill Air Force Base due to a historic storm surge in Tampa. Troy was safely rescued by Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and released back into the Bay, ensuring he has a long life ahead of him.

While assisting in welfare checks on affected residents in the Big Bend region, FWC officers discovered a displaced sea turtle among the wreckage. It was deemed healthy for immediate release in more sea turtle-appropriate conditions.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium sustained over four feet of flooding, power outages, and damage to vital equipment, including life support systems. In an abundance of caution, manatee patients Yeti and Zamboni were safely relocated from Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s new Manatee Critical Care and Rehabilitation Facility to ZooTampa. CMA recently celebrated the grand opening of this facility, which was made possible in part by a $100,000 donation from our Foundation to support its completion. Once CMA’s systems are fully operational, staff will coordinate the manatees’ return.

The Florida Coral Rescue Center in Orlando was luckily not impacted by the storm. In fact, corals spawned both before and during the storm. Five species, including two that are endangered, produced larvae through assisted fertilization. The larvae are now being distributed to other facilities for research and conservation.

If you’d like to support rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene, make a donation today.

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