ZooTampa at Lowry Park has released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into Florida waters in 2025, marking the highest number of releases in its history. This achievement highlights the zoo’s role in protecting manatees and its participation in the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.
The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa is recognized as the largest nonprofit facility of its kind in the United States. Since opening in 1991, it has cared for more than 615 manatees, with most being returned to their natural environment.
The program relies on a team that includes two veterinarians certified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for manatee critical care, along with animal care professionals available around the clock.
In spring 2026, ZooTampa plans to open the Straz Family Manatee Rescue as part of its new Florida Waters expansion. The new facility will allow visitors to view manatees underwater and observe rehabilitation efforts up close.
ZooTampa’s work comes at a time when Florida’s manatee population faces threats from loss of sea grass and injuries caused by boats. In 2025, over 620 manatees died statewide, including 97 from boat strikes.
As a nonprofit organization, ZooTampa spends nearly $2 million annually on manatee rescue operations and educates about 1.2 million people each year about wildlife conservation.
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