ZooTampa Released Record 26 Rehabilitated Manatees In 2025

TAMPA, FL — ZooTampa at Lowry Park released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into Florida waters last year — a record number for the zoo.

Nineteen manatees continue to receive critical care at the zoo’s David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center, the largest nonprofit facility of its kind in the U.S., according to a news release from ZooTampa.

Since the center opened in 1991, it’s cared for more than 615 manatees, most returned to their natural habitat.

This spring, ZooTampa, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, will unveil the Straz Family Manatee Rescue as part of its new Florida Waters expansion. The state-of-the-art facility will offer visitors immersive, eye-level underwater views of manatees, providing a unique opportunity to witness the zoo's life-saving efforts firsthand.

Ongoing efforts by ZooTampa and other facilities are crucial as Florida’s manatee population faces challenges from sea grass loss and watercraft injuries, the zoo said.

It’s estimated that more than 620 manatees died last year, 97 of them from being hit by boats.

The zoo, a nonprofit, spends nearly $2 million each year to save manatees, and educates 1.2 million visitors and students annually about local and global wildlife conservation efforts.

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