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Clearwater Marine Aquarium

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Remembering Madam

1988-2022

June 3, 2022

Our team is deeply saddened to share Madam has passed away. A recent CT scan revealed several tumors that were not present during her routine exam in November. Our vet team worked tirelessly to treat Madam in consultation with several world-class sea turtle vets.

A new CT scan showed the tumors continued to grow and spread to other areas, despite our team’s best efforts. During a scheduled surgery this morning, the tumors were determined inoperable after exhausting all options for treatment. The team who lovingly cared for Madam each day surrounded her and said goodbye as the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her.

The entire CMA team is mourning the loss of an animal that has been a part of our family since she hatched here over 33 years ago. Madam, a critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was part of an innovative conservation program implemented in the 1980s to restore this species in the wild. We hope that Madam’s life can provide important information to one day help this species come off the endangered species list.

We want to sincerely thank our Animal Care team for giving her the best home possible at CMA and our Vet team for providing Madam with the best care available.

We appreciate your love and support during this difficult time.

Madam Q&A

A: CMA has been Madam’s home her entire life. She hatched on an artificial beach on August 6, 1988 that was located right where Walle and Boomer’s habitat is today.

A: The nesting population of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles experienced a devastating decline in the mid-1980s. NOAA Fisheries implemented intensive conservation actions and innovative techniques, like captive breeding, to study, protect, and recover the species. Madam and other Kemp’s ridley born from the captive breeding program in the 80s provided important data for the species recovery plan.

A: As an important member of the captive breeding program, Madam was deemed non-releasable by NOAA Fisheries. 

A: The animal care team at CMA is very in-tune with each resident’s habits and daily life. Members of our Sea Turtle team noticed a change in her behavior which can often indicate a change in health. So, our vet team ran a CT scan of Madam which revealed several tumors that were not present during her exam in November.

A: A biopsy of the tumors is being sent to a laboratory to determine the cause of the tumors and to identify them.

A: The tumors were prevalent throughout Madam’s body.

A: The tumors were determined inoperable due to their location, size, and quantity.

A: Our dedicated team continues to provide the highest quality of care to all our residents and rescued animals at CMA 24/7. Additionally, they have all been checked and cleared by our veterinarian who found no signs of illness and are acting normally. 

A: Plans for Madam’s cremation are underway.

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

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