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NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Environment)September 12, 2026Hillsborough County

Scientists spawn endangered elkhorn coral in Key Largo nursery to revive barrier reef

Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Environment)

In late August and early September, scientists spawned a large collection of endangered elkhorn coral in a Key Largo nursery, producing thousands of baby corals now being raised in labs across Florida.

Coral Reef RestorationEndangered SpeciesMarine BiologyConservationKey Largo
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Environment)

Why It Matters

The survival and growth of these captive coral babies directly determine whether scientists have a viable lifeline to revive North America's only barrier reef.

Key Facts

  • Thousands of endangered elkhorn coral babies were spawned in a Key Largo nursery in late August and early September.
  • The spawned coral collection is the largest of Florida's most endangered coral.
  • The baby corals are currently being raised in laboratories around Florida.
  • Scientists hope the initiative will help revive elkhorn coral on North America's only barrier reef.

Who's Mentioned

locationFlorida“State where labs are raising baby corals and home to the coral collection”locationNorth America“Location of the barrier reef targeted for coral revival”locationKey Largo“Location of the coral nursery where spawning took place”