ZooTampa at Lowry Park has released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into Florida waters in 2025, marking a record for the institution. This milestone highlights ZooTampa’s role in manatee conservation and its participation in the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.
Since 1991, the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa has provided care for more than 615 manatees. Most of these animals have been returned to their natural environment. The center is recognized as the largest nonprofit facility of its kind in the United States.
The program relies on a team that includes two veterinarians certified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other animal care professionals who are available around the clock.
Looking ahead to Spring 2026, ZooTampa will open the Straz Family Manatee Rescue as part of its Florida Waters expansion. This new facility will allow visitors to view manatees underwater and observe rehabilitation efforts directly.
Florida’s manatee population continues to face significant threats, including loss of sea grass and injuries from watercraft. In 2025, more than 620 manatees died, with 97 deaths attributed to boat strikes.
ZooTampa operates as a nonprofit organization and invests close to $2 million annually in manatee rescue efforts. Each year, it also educates approximately 1.2 million visitors and students about wildlife conservation locally and globally.
“Nineteen manatees continue to receive critical care,” according to ZooTampa.
