2025 was a record year for ZooTampa, with 26 manatees successfully rehabilitated and released, the highest total in the organization’s history.
ZooTampa is one of Florida’s leading manatee rescue centers, playing a vital role in statewide conservation efforts.
Manatees remain highly vulnerable due to boat collisions, cold stress, and habitat loss, causing hundreds of deaths annually across Florida.
Since 1991, ZooTampa’s critical care program has helped more than 615 manatees, with the majority returning to the wild.
The rescue and rehabilitation program requires around $2 million each year and is supported by highly trained veterinarians and wildlife professionals.
A new, state-of-the-art manatee rescue and viewing facility is set to open in 2026, giving visitors a rare, behind-the-scenes look at life-saving care.
These efforts highlight the growing need for public awareness, funding, and protection to ensure the future of Florida’s iconic manatees.
SOURCE : GOOD NEWS NETWORK..
