Clearwater Marine Aquarium opens new manatee rehabilitation center [Video]

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is working to save injured manatees with a brand-new rehabilitation center.

“To see these animals up close, but not to touch them because they don’t want us to touch them, it’s a great experience,” said 14-year-old Elliott Walko.

Walko and his family came to visit the Manatee Rehabilitation Center at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Tuesday.

“It’s like a new dog coming home from the shelter and trying to get to know their house better. Like they are trying to explore all the corners and nooks and crannies of their house,” said Walko.

The facility opened on Monday and is now housing two new manatees that were transferred from ZooTampa’s critical care center.

“This allows other MRP facilities such as ZooTampa, where they came from, to take in more critical care cases,” said Tanya Ward, who works with the manatees at the …