Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA
Recommended by Merry Allison of Virginia Vacation Guide
How do I know it’s ethical?
Clearwater Marine Aquarium focuses on the mission of “Rescue, Rehab, Release.” They are a working animal hospital first and foremost. The aquarium includes a surgical suite and a critical care facility.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is devoted to rescuing injured marine animals and helping them throughout the rehabilitation process, after which point they can often be released back into their natural habitat. Since 2010, they have rescued over 1,600 sea turtles; monitored over 2,100 sea turtle nests; and released over 850 animals back into the wild.
Description of the Experience
A trip to the Elephant Nature Park includes transportation to and from the park. You’ll watch a quick
A visit to Clearwater Marine Aquarium includes an opportunity to see and learn about many of the animals that they’ve rescued, including sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, otters, and pelicans.
There are several special programs available at the aquarium that give visitors a chance to learn more about their rescue and conservation efforts. One program is a behind-the-scenes tour, which allows you to tour areas of the aquarium that aren’t available to the general public, including the animal critical care facility where very sick animals are treated (visitors must remain at a safe distance from the animals during this part of the tour). The tour also includes a visit to the food preparation area. During the tour, you can learn more about the diets of the animals, as well as the rehabilitation and care they receive.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also features eco-boat tours with marine biologists at the aquarium, during which you can visit nearby animal sanctuaries and nests in Clearwater Bay. One of the stops along the tour is a bird sanctuary island in the bay that is prohibited to humans. Another tour will give you a chance to learn about shells and marine life in the bay.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium was featured in the 2011 movie Dolphin Tale, which was based on the true story of a bottlenose dolphin named Winter. Winter lost her tail after it became caught in a crab trap line. Through the work of a prosthetist and other experts, a prosthetic tail was developed for her to help her swim properly again. The aquarium features many exhibits related to Winter and how the prosthetic tail was developed for her.
Company/ Cost:
You can book directly with Clearwater Aquarium. Tickets are about $35.95 for adults, $26.95 for kids aged 3-12, and free for children under 2. Tickets and memberships can be purchased online or in person.
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This is one post on a series of ethical animal tourism posts by travel content creators. The experiences cover all seven continents and a variety of animals. Ensure that your animal experience is an ethical one.
Learn More About Ethical Animal Tourism
10 Questions to Ask to Ensure the Encounter is Ethical?
