2025 was a milestone year for Florida’s gentle giants. ZooTampa released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into the wild—the most in the zoo’s history.
The David Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center, the largest nonprofit manatee rehab facility in the U.S., has cared for over 615 manatees since 1991, with most returning safely to Florida waters. Each year, manatees face threats like boat strikes and habitat loss, making rescue efforts vital. In 2025 alone, over 620 manatees died statewide, 97 from collisions with boats.
ZooTampa’s $2 million-a-year program relies on expert veterinarians and animal care professionals, including two US Fish and Wildlife Service-certified manatee critical care vets.
Visitors will soon get a closer look at these life-saving efforts when the Straz Family Manatee Rescue opens in spring 2026. The new facility will feature eye-level underwater views, five critical care pools, and two naturalistic rehab pools, letting guests witness manatees’ journey from recovery to release.
These releases highlight ZooTampa’s pivotal role in protecting one of Florida’s most beloved species.
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