At the Miami Seaquarium, two manatees aged 67 and 61 had been kept captive since 1956. The pair have finally been freed from the “ever deteriorating conditions” and moved to a sanctuary. The two are now getting accustomed to their new home and receiving round the clock care and medical intervention at Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park.
Urgent Seas, a whistleblower organization exposing zoos and aquariums through direct action and advocacy, federal wildlife officials and a public campaign demanded the animals, also known as “sea cows,” to be freed. Romeo, the older manatee and Juliet had been at the Florida theme park since they were “rescued” as young calves.
According to the Facebook page of the zoo, veterinarians caring for the senior manatees are concerned about cardiac health, which apparently is difficult to evaluate because of their size. At the present time, the health issues, if there are some, remains unknown.
It’s going to be a long road, but there is no facility better prepared to address the urgent health needs of these manatees while the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership identifies the best option for their long-term placements.
Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, Veterinarian for manatees and Senior VP of Animal Health, Conservation and Education
Meanwhile, both Romeo and Juliet are getting the opportunity to interact with other manatees. Both are eating and drinking well.
ZooTampa is home to one of only three centers of its kind in the United States. For nearly three decades, the facility has been a leader in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of critically injured, sick, and orphaned manatees.
Read the previous coverage of Romeo and Juliet and their amazing rescuers.
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