Stingrays weather Hurricane Milton at Tropicana Field

In St. Petersburg, Florida, seven cownose stingrays were safely relocated to The Florida Aquarium after enduring Hurricane Milton in a touch tank at Tropicana Field. The storm, which occurred last week, caused significant damage to the ballpark's fabric roof, but the stingrays remained unharmed. The aquarium staff provided onsite care during the storm, ensuring the well-being of the animals. The stingrays, which are a popular attraction at the ballpark, will now reside in their own exhibition space at the aquarium during the offseason. The Tampa Bay Rays, who play at Tropicana Field, are scheduled to return to the ballpark for their season opener on March 27, 2025. The team is currently assessing the damage caused by the hurricane, which was designed to withstand winds of up to 115 mph. The stadium, which opened in 1990, is set to be replaced by a new $1.3 billion ballpark by the 2028 season as part of a major redevelopment project in downtown St. Petersburg. Fortunately, The Florida Aquarium itself did not sustain any damage during the storm, and staff took proactive measures to protect other animals, including relocating penguins and corals to safer locations.