Clearwater Marine Aquarium Welcomes Back Manatees to its Dr. James “Buddy” Powell Manatee Rehabilitation Center
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) has officially reopened its Manatee Rehabilitation Center and welcomed its first new patients of the year—three juvenile manatees named Sabal, Orchid, and Vora.
The reopening marks a major milestone for CMA, after more than a year of closure due to extensive hurricane damage, sustaining over $2.5 million in damages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton during the 2024 season.
Related: Finding Light After Dark: Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Resilience After the Storms
CMA’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center, part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), received the trio after their transport from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where they were previously being rehabilitated.
CMA marine mammal experts will monitor the three patients as they acclimate to their new habitat, which is now open for guest viewing. It is anticipated that these patients will be released in early 2026 back to the wild, where they will be monitored by CMA Research Institute (CMARI) scientists for the MRP.
Meet the manatees:
- Sabal – Rescued: Sept. 1, 2023, as an orphan in Boggy Bayou, Palm Harbor. Planned Release: Crystal River, FL — to be tagged and monitored by CMARI
- Orchid – Rescued: March 13, 2024, as an orphan in Kings Bay, Crystal River. Planned Release: Crystal River, FL — to be tagged and monitored by CMARI
- Vora – Rescued: Oct. 2, 2023, as an orphan in Lake Santa Barbara, Pompano Beach. Planned Release: Blue Spring, FL — to be tagged and monitored by CMARI
Dedicated to a Wildlife Hero: Dr. James “Buddy” Powell
CMA will proudly dedicate its new manatee rehabilitation facility to Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, a visionary leader whose passion and perseverance transformed the field of marine conservation. As CMA’s former Chief Zoological Officer and Executive Director of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), Dr. Powell devoted more than five decades to the study and protection of manatees worldwide.
His legacy lives on in every rescued, rehabilitated, and released manatee—and in the hearts of those inspired by his work.
“This facility stands as a testament to Dr. Powell’s enduring impact and CMA’s unwavering commitment to marine life,” said Joe Handy, CEO of CMA. “It is more than a building—it is a promise to continue the work he began, ensuring manatees receive the care and protection they deserve.”
“CMA has been dedicated to the conservation and protection of manatees for over two decades,” said Handy. “Rehabilitation is a crucial part of our mission, and we are proud to welcome manatee patients here and be part of the solution alongside our partners at the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership. We are the first responders of the ocean—from research to monitoring—and we are committed to protecting this keystone species.”
CMA's History of Providing Care for Manatees
Since opening in July 2024, the Manatee Rehabilitation Center has provided “second stage” care for manatees who are no longer in need of critical care, but have not yet met the milestones needed for release. They are also designed to relieve capacity at critical care facilities at ZooTampa and SeaWorld Orlando, which often care for more than 20 manatees each at a time.
The first manatee patients welcomed to CMA were Yeti and Zamboni. Unfortunately, their stays were cut short due to Hurricane Helene Sept. 26, and they were safely transported to ZooTampa the next day. The two manatees were both eventually released back to the wild in early 2025.
Manatees are a keystone species and vital indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. CMA’s rehabilitation center allows guests to observe manatees under care while learning about the threats they face—such as habitat loss, boat strikes, entanglement and pollution—and how individuals can contribute to their protection.
This state-of-the-art center features ozone treatment systems and medical habitats with adjustable floors, ensuring the safety and comfort of every animal in rehabilitation. CMA’s goal is to provide comprehensive care for sick, injured, and orphaned manatees—supporting their full recovery and eventual return to the wild.
Through CMARI, CMA has tagged and monitored more than 100 manatees in collaboration with the MRP. The data collected over the past 20 years has been vital in tracking migration patterns, habitat use, and post-release success—both in rehabilitated and wild manatees across the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.
Funding for CMA’s manatee rehabilitation efforts is made possible through the State of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Duke Energy Foundation, the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and generous private donors.
For more information, visit www.cmaquarium.org.