Threatened species of Florida coral propagated in human care for the first time

A threatened species of Florida coral is reproducing under human care for the first time, which officials say offers hope for the species’ future.

SeaWorld aquarists at the Florida Coral Rescue Center are working on propagating the rough cactus coral as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project.

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Officials said the corals are expected to be part of a large-scale breeding effort and produce offspring that will be used to restore Florida’s Coral Reef.

“These offspring are very important to the future of this threatened species and to the health of our oceans,” said Jim Kinsler, facility manager of the Florida Coral Rescue Center and curator of aquariums and Wild Arctic at SeaWorld. “Our team of experts understand that the work we are doing is critical to protecting an entire ecosystem and by ensuring these corals survive and grow to become a part of a healthy and abundant population, future generations of ocean enthusiasts will be able to enjoy them when visiting Florida’s Coral Reef.”

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Right now, the FCRC has more than 700 corals in its care.

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