At the Miami Seaquarium, two manatees aged 67 and 61 kept captive since 1956, will finally be freed from the “ever deteriorating conditions” of the park and moved to a sanctuary.
According to Urgent Seas, a whistleblower organization exposing zoos and aquariums through direct action and advocacy, federal wildlife officials and a campaign demanded the animals, also known as “sea cows” to be freed. Romeo, the older manatee and Juliet have been at the Florida theme park since they were “rescued” as young calves.
Check out how the manatees were living via the following video released on X (formerly Twitter), showing Romeo swimming in circles in an unprotected sun area in a dirty, 30 feet, remote circular tank, not accessible to the public. The two have been separated for months according to the advocacy groups.
…Romeo’s tank was missing a sun shelter for at least 10 days, exposing the manatee to the harmful direct sunlight; and a critical violation that he had been left without company since three young manatees he was placed with were returned to the ocean in the spring.
Despite having every opportunity to do so, the seaquarium has proven unable or unwilling to operate lawfully, even amidst intense public scrutiny of the facility.
UrgentSeas
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1470724493773441
It is expected that within the week, Romeo, Juliet and a third unidentified younger manatee will be moved. They are reportedly suffering from health issues and are now considered “high risk.” Romeo has dietary issues, and his food intake has to be carefully managed, therefore making it unlikely he could safely be released back into the wild. It is expected, however Romeo will be transferred to a manatee rescue and rehabilitation facility where he will be able to be in the company of other manatees and also receive the specialized care he needs.
According to a recent USDA report, the Miami-Dade commission has set the deadline of December 15 for Seaquarium to rectify various violations. The US Fish and Wildlife Services will be transporting Romeo from the facility, where the “loneliest whale in the world”, Lolita died earlier this year.
Check out the Change.org petition.
(Photos via Seaquarium, Change.org and screenshots via Urgent Seas video)
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