A Florida Zoo Released a Record Number of Rehabilitated Manatees Back into the Wild in 2025

A Florida zoo reached a major conservation milestone in 2025, thanks to the success of its manatee rehabilitation efforts.

In a press release shared on Monday, Jan. 5, ZooTampa at Lowry Park announced it had released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into Florida waters during the year — the highest number ever achieved by the park in a single year.

The zoo said the achievement highlights its critical role in protecting manatees and its ongoing participation in the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.

ZooTampa operates the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center, the largest nonprofit manatee care facility in the United States. Since opening in 1991, the center has treated more than 615 manatees, with the majority successfully returned to the wild.

Among the most recent releases were Finn and Mudonna, both returned to Florida waters with the help of ZooTampa staff and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

According to local outlet WUSF, Mudonna was rescued in November 2024 following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused widespread devastation across Florida. She had been stranded in only five inches of water with minimal food access, while temperatures dropped to around 30 degrees.

At the time of her rescue, Mudonna weighed just 345 pounds — far below the average adult manatee weight of about 1,000 pounds, WUSF reported.

ZooTampa, working alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife and the University of Florida Marine Rescue, provided extensive care to restore her health. By the time she was released into Crystal River last week, Mudonna’s weight had increased to more than 700 pounds.

The zoo’s manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and release program is supported by a dedicated team of veterinarians — including two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service–certified manatee critical-care veterinarians — along with specialized animal care staff available around the clock.

ZooTampa’s conservation work is continuing to expand. The park is preparing to open a new facility, the Straz Family Manatee Rescue, which will allow visitors to view manatees at eye level through underwater exhibits when it opens this spring.

Florida’s manatee population has faced mounting challenges in recent years, including habitat loss and injuries caused by watercraft. According to ZooTampa, an estimated 620 manatees died in 2025, while 97 suffered injuries from boat strikes.

Manatees are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed rule changes in November that could roll back certain protections for species threatened by habitat loss.

In addition, the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 provides state-level protection, making it unlawful to intentionally or negligently disturb, harass, or harm any manatee, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.