Stingrays safely relocate damaged baseball stadium back home after Hurricane Milton
A group of stingrays, beloved by fans of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, were relocated for safety ahead of Hurricane Milton and have now been returned to The Florida Aquarium.
The seven male cownose stingrays were temporarily housed at Tropicana Field for protection as the storm approached.
These sea creatures, known for their distinctive cow-shaped snouts, are now back in their regular exhibit space at The Florida Aquarium, where they spend the off-season.
The stingrays are native to the waters around Tampa Bay and have been a fixture at Tropicana Field since 2006.
Aquarium staff with the stingrays. Pic: Florida Aquarium/AP
The stingrays were housed in a 37,800-liter touch tank above right-center field at Tropicana Field, a popular spot for Tampa Bay Rays fans.
Despite damage to the venue’s roof during the storm, the stingrays were unharmed, with aquarium associate curator Craig Johnson noting that they “handled the storm well”.
“Staff provided on-site care for several days, and today [Tuesday], we safely returned them to the aquarium,” he stated.
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Hurricane Milton rips away stadium roof
Tropicana Field, built in 1990 for $138 million, is set to be replaced by the 2028 season. The Rays claim the stadium’s roof can withstand winds up to 115 mph (185 kph).
No damage was reported at The Florida Aquarium during Hurricane Milton.
Prior to the storm, precautions were taken such as relocating penguins, transferring a rescued sea turtle, and safeguarding thousands of corals.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that around 170,000 customers were still without power following the devastating storm that hit with 120 mph (193 km) winds last week.
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At least 11 fatalities were reported from the storm, coming shortly after Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in Florida and neighboring states, resulting in over 240 casualties.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper mentioned that approximately 92 individuals remain missing in his state following Hurricane Helene, according to NBC News, Sky’s US partner.
The next baseball game at Tropicana Field is scheduled for March, with the team needing several weeks to assess storm damage and determine necessary repairs.
