Thanks to a $100,000 grant from our Marine Mammal Fund, Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA)‘s Manatee Rehabilitation Center is saving manatees’ lives.
On November 10, CMA welcomed three new juvenile female manatee patients: Sabal, Orchid, and Vora. Each was rescued as a young orphan and will now receive attentive care from CMA’s veterinarians and animal care team as they adjust to their environment. Sabal was rescued in Palm Harbor on September 1, 2023, Vora was rescued in Pompano Beach on October 2, 2023, and Orchid was rescued in Crystal River on March 13, 2024. Before arriving at CMA, the trio received specialized care at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium through the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.
Their arrival marks an exciting moment for CMA as the Manatee Rehabilitation Center reopens after more than a year of closure due to hurricane damage. The facility now honors the legacy of Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, a global leader in manatee conservation, and has been renamed the Dr. James “Buddy” Powell Manatee Rehabilitation Center.
CMA provides second-stage care for manatees who are no longer in critical condition but still need time to regain their strength before returning to the wild. This vital work helps relieve capacity at manatee hospitals, allowing more rescues to take place statewide. Sabal, Orchid, and Vora are expected to be released back into the wild in early 2026. CMA will share updates once guests can visit them in their habitat.
As winter temperatures drop and more manatees face the threat of cold stress, your gift provides the care, food, and medical treatment they urgently need. By donating to the Marine Mammal Fund today, you can help ensure that manatees like Sabal, Orchid, and Vora have a safe place to recover and a chance to return to Florida’s waters strong and healthy.
