Clearwater Marine Aquarium reports “catastrophic” damage from Helene

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

The young mammals (estimated to be one to three years old) spent six months in central Tampa before arriving in Clearwater in late July, where they were fed, trained and cared for – the final stop before they were deemed healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

Yeti and Zamboni were temporarily returned to Tampa “out of an abundance of caution” while aquarium staff assessed the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Chief Biological Officer James “Buddy” Powell called it “catastrophic damage” and said “most” of the facility’s life support systems had been destroyed.

Flooding rose to 4 feet at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which borders Clearwater Bay.

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

“We urgently need a lab-grade -80°C ultra-low freezer if anyone has contacts with medical facilities that may have a spare or surplus freezer available for loan,” Powell announced on Instagram.

“We would also be happy about donations.”

No effects on the aquarium’s resident dolphins were reported. In a Facebook post, staff announced that “some animals have been relocated within the facility to ensure their safety while we address impacts to their habitats.”

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

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