I never blogged about our trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This is another favorite place to visit. Even when it's crowded!! This year it's quite busy at the CMA as they have a STAR resident. In September a movie will premier called A Dolphin's Tale starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Morgan Freeman, & Winter! The movie is about Winter, herself, and her miraculous journey. You will have to go to the website to learn more!!!
The Clearwater Aquarium's mission is to restore and preserve our marine environment. They accomplish their mission through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release of wildlife.
Winter has been a favorite dolphin of ours for the past few years. We have been able to watch her be rehabilitated and come back to life at CMA. Winter was rescued near Cape Canaveral, wrapped tightly in a crab trap line. Because of this, Winter lost her tail. Winter responded well to the rehabilitative effors of the CMA and now have a prosthetic tail. She certainly has an AMAZING story!
We recently discovered that CMA has a new resident with a similiar story to Winter. Hope was found near Cape Canaveral in December 2011. Hope is a female and was also rescued at around 2 months of age. The same rescuer that found Winter, found Hope. If you can make a trip to CMA soon, I would highly recommend planning ample time on the Dolphin Deck where Hope is being nursed back to health. She is the most adorable, tiny dolphin you have ever scene and is still feeding from bottles. (Which the kids thought was so cute!)
Other things we enjoy at CMA: Salt water Aquarium, touch tank, sting ray petting, otters, turtle education, shark feedings, and the Winter & Panama show.
This is a trip you can not pass up. Yes, it does cost money, but well worth it!!!! But if you can't make it to the aquarium or live too far away, please visit their website where you can view live webcams of all the animals! :)
Some additional information:
Adults: $14.95
Children (3 - 12): $9.95
The above is for basic admission. They also have add-ons such as a sea-life safari and behind the scenes tour at additional costs.
Here's another secret...TEACHERS get in FREE (you need a recent pay stub and your school ID). Also, watch the local adds and ValPak mailings for buy one get one offers for local residents. The day we went, I got in free (TEACHER) plus I had a ValPak BOGO for the kids. My total cost was $9.95 for the day!
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