Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, Florida

Description

Clearwater Marine Aquarium,Clearwater Florida,
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a 501 non-profit organization, and aquarium in Clearwater, Florida, the hours of operation are subject to change. It is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine animals, public education, and animal-assisted therapy and research.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium opened in 1972 at its current location on Clearwater Beach, in a former water treatment plant (the large pools being well-suited for rehabilitation operations).
Numerous forms of marine life are permanent residents at the aquarium, all of which have serious injuries that prevent their return to the wild.
The aquarium’s best-known permanent resident, and the focus of its marketing campaigns, is Winter, a bottlenose dolphin who was rescued in December 2005 after having her tail caught in a crab trap. Her injuries caused the loss of her tail, and the aquarium fitted her with a prosthetic tail which brought worldwide attention to the facility. Winter later starred in the 2011 film, Dolphin Tale, and the sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, shot partially on location at the aquarium.






Dolphin Tale: Inspired by the Amazing True Story of Winter

Winter was found stranded in Mosquito Lagoon, near Cape Canaveral, Florida when she was only two months old, entangled in a crab trap line which cut off circulation to her tail flukes. After disentanglement, she was transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for treatment of her extensive injuries. However, despite exhaustive efforts to promote healing, her tail deteriorated and could not be saved. Her story is unusual – most dolphins trapped in monofilament and crab trap lines do not survive. Despite overwhelming odds against survival, Winter’s energy and ability to adapt to her new physical form surpassed expectations. She recovered completely, adapted to a new swim pattern and learned to eat fish on her own… about 12 pounds a day!

Hope the Dolphin

Hope’s Rescue Story
On December 11, 2010, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute received a call that a dolphin calf had been found in Indian River Lagoon on the East Coast of Florida. A local fisherman spotted her in the shallow waters, attempting to nurse from her deceased mother. When first responders arrived, they evaluated the dolphin calf and, in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service, determined she should be transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for rehabilitation.At the time of her rescue, Hope was estimated to be 2-3 months old. She weighed 58 pounds and was extremely dehydrated, lacking the milk she should have received from her mother. CMA was able to provide care and nutrition to nurse her back to full recovery.

URKEL-O’S STORY


Urkel-O’s is a juvenile green sea turtle that was found floating with fishing line entangling its right front flipper on May 21, 2017. A fisherman brought the turtle to shore where it was picked up and transported back to Clearwater Marine Aquarium by our Rescue Team for triage. Fibropapilloma tumors were noted on the turtle’s neck and flippers.
Monofilament fishing line is very dangerous for turtles, especially fishing line that remains in the ocean and isn’t disposed of properly. Turtles can get tangled in the line, causing flipper amputations, or they can swallow the line causing digestive problems. It’s important that you clean up after yourself any time you go fishing.






Winter Zone

The Winter Zone is home to resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Winter and Hope. This was the filming area for Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. You can see Winter and Hope any time of the day when we are open. You can walk up to the stanchions by their pool for a viewing all day long!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Daily- 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Winters Dolphin Tale Adventure: Daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
(included with purchase of General Admission)

General Admission:
Adult (ages 13-59)Price: $21.95
Child (ages 3-12)Price: $16.95
Senior (ages 60+)Price: $19.95

Visit there website for full details www.seewinter.com