TAMPA, Fla. — ZooTampa's Manatee Critical Care Center is back in action, taking in sick and injured manatees, after the building received extensive renovations. 

  • ZooTampa caring for rescued manatees again
  • Manatee Care Center back open after renovations
  • Four manatees currently being cared for at center

The Critical Care Center received a $3 million upgrade, including a complex energy filtration system that supports the Zoo's ability to provide life-saving support for severely injured and sickened manatees. 

“Our upgraded manatee care center is just the first phase of an ambitious plan to increase ZooTampa’s capacity to care for a variety of threatened species native to Florida,” said Chief Executive Officer Joe Couceiro. “The Center’s reopening is part of our long-term vision to protect and preserve Florida wildlife, and to inspire a greater public connection to, and responsibility for, the wildlife that call Florida home.”

(Courtesy of ZooTampa)

Manatees face serious threats from pollution, habitat degradation and human conflict, including boat strikes. Manatees have also been threatened by the severe red tide Florida faced last year. In 2018, 286 more Florida manatees perished than during the previous year. 

“Under the guidance of the Zoo’s lead manatee veterinarian, Dr. Lauren Smith, our veterinary and animal care staff are continuing our work to provide advanced, specialized medical treatment and rehabilitation for manatees that are orphaned or injured by boat strike, entangled in fishing line or suffering from cold stress,” said Dr. Larry Killmar, senior vice president and chief zoological officer at ZooTampa. “With nearly 60 years of combined expertise and skill in manatee care, we’re once again rehabilitating those in critical need of quality care and working collaboratively with Florida Fish and Wildlife and other partners to help protect this important species in our state.”

(Courtesy of ZooTampa)

ZooTampa's David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center is the first non-profit acute care facility for injured, sick, and orphaned wild manatees. 

Since reopening, the center has taken in four manatees from SeaWorld that were rescued on Florida's west coast. 

  • Cayo, a male manatee who was found near Cayo Costa in Lee County four years ago so severely injured that he’s unable to return to Florida waters and depends on regular care.
  • Roomba, a male who has recovered from a boat strike injury he suffered in the Crystal River in Citrus County. He’s doing well and awaits possible release to the wild. 
  • Two female manatees, a mother who was found in Cedar Key in Levy County after being struck by a boat last year, and her calf, who was not hurt. Both are receiving continued care and monitoring at the Zoo. 

As more rescued manatees come to ZooTampa’s Critical Care Center, visitors will have the opportunity to observe these graceful, slow moving “sea cows” as they recover and rehabilitate. Once they are healthy again, it’s the Zoo’s goal to return manatees to Florida waters.

Video from ZooTampa shows manatees being moved to upgraded care center: