ZooTampa at Lowry Park released a record 26 rehabilitated manatees into Florida waters in 2025, the most in a single year for the park. The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center — the largest nonprofit facility of its kind in the U.S. — has cared for over 615 manatees since 1991. One notable rescue, Mudonna, was rehabilitated from 345 to more than 700 pounds after being trapped following the 2024 hurricane season. The park continues rescue efforts and will open the Straz Family Manatee Rescue this spring with eye-level underwater viewing.
ZooTampa Sets Record: 26 Rehabilitated Manatees Released Into Florida Waters in 2025
ZooTampaMudonna the manatee is released by ZooTampa.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park marked a milestone in 2025 when it released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into Florida waters — the most the park has returned to the wild in a single year.
ZooTampaZooTampa staff pose with Mudonna the manatee before she's released into the wild.
Largest Nonprofit Manatee Care Center: The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa is the largest nonprofit facility of its kind in the United States. Since 1991 the center has cared for more than 615 manatees, with the majority successfully released back to their natural habitats.
ZooTampaCrews works to release Finn the manatee.
Recent Releases: Videos and photos shared by the zoo show recent release operations for manatees including Finn and Mudonna. Releases were conducted by teams of ZooTampa staff working alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) personnel.
ZooTampaMudonna swims away in Florida's Crystal River.
The Story of Mudonna: Mudonna was rescued in November 2024 in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Rescuers found her trapped in roughly five inches of water with little food and exposed to near-freezing temperatures. At rescue she weighed only 345 pounds — well below the typical adult manatee weight of about 1,000 pounds. After rehabilitation by ZooTampa, FWC and the University of Florida Marine Rescue, Mudonna was returned to Crystal River weighing more than 700 pounds, a gain of over 300 pounds.
ZooTampaFinn the manatee is released into the wild.
Care Team and Facilities: ZooTampa says its manatee rescue program is staffed by a team of veterinarians, including two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)-certified manatee critical-care veterinarians, and animal-care personnel who are on call 24/7. The park plans to open the new Straz Family Manatee Rescue facility this spring, offering visitors eye-level underwater viewing of manatees.
Ongoing Threats: Florida’s manatee population continues to face serious threats, including habitat loss and injuries from watercraft. ZooTampa reported an estimated 620 manatee deaths and 97 boat-strike injuries in 2025. Manatees are protected under federal laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, as well as state protections including the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act. In November, federal agencies proposed rule changes that could alter certain protections for species affected by habitat loss; those proposals remain under review and subject to public and scientific scrutiny.
"This accomplishment underscores the Zoo's pivotal role in conserving this iconic species and its role within the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership," the zoo said in its January 5 press release.
ZooTampa and partner agencies emphasize that rescue, rehabilitation and prevention efforts must continue to protect manatees — and that public awareness, safe boating practices and habitat conservation remain critical to the species' recovery.
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