ZooTampa Sets Record by Releasing 26 Rehabilitated Manatees

A Record Year for Manatee Rescue in Florida

One of Florida’s most important wildlife conservation milestones came in 2025, when ZooTampa released a record 26 rehabilitated manatees back into state waters — the highest number in the organization’s history.

The achievement highlights ZooTampa’s central role in protecting one of Florida’s most beloved but vulnerable marine mammals. Manatees face ongoing threats from boat strikes, habitat loss, and environmental disruption, making rescue and rehabilitation efforts critical every year.

Life-Saving Care Behind the Scenes

At the heart of the effort is the David Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center, the largest nonprofit manatee hospital in the United States. Since 1991, the facility has treated more than 615 manatees, with the majority successfully returned to the wild.

The program operates year-round with a specialized veterinary and animal care team, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service–certified manatee critical care veterinarians. The rescue, rehabilitation, and release operation costs approximately $2 million annually — a significant investment in preserving Florida’s marine ecosystem.

Why the Work Matters More Than Ever

The need for manatee rescue has only grown. In 2025 alone, more than 620 manatees died in Florida waters, with nearly 100 fatalities attributed to boat strikes. Each successful release represents months — sometimes years — of medical care, rehabilitation, and monitoring.

By returning 26 manatees to the wild in a single year, ZooTampa set a new benchmark for conservation success amid mounting challenges for the species.

Looking Ahead to 2026

ZooTampa plans to expand its impact even further with the opening of the Straz Family Manatee Rescue facility in spring 2026. The new center will feature immersive, eye-level underwater viewing, allowing visitors to see rehabilitation efforts in real time and better understand what it takes to save these gentle giants.

For Florida’s iconic manatees, 2025 was a year of second chances — and a reminder of how vital conservation work truly is.