ZooTampa Expands Manatee Critical Care with New Pools

New Manatee Critical Care Pools

• 🏥 ZooTampa has opened two new large pools at the David Arraz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center to address a record number of manatee patients.
• 📈 The zoo experienced a significant rise in manatee admissions over the past several years, reaching a record of 28 manatees last year.
• 🎯 These new pools are designed to increase the zoo's capacity and ability to treat sick or injured manatees.

Advanced Treatment Capabilities

• 🛠️ The new pools feature motorized floors that can be lifted out of the water, functioning like a boat lift.
• 💧 This allows medical staff to safely and quickly perform necessary treatments on manatees while they are fully dry.
• 🚀 Once treatments are complete, animals are returned to the water to socialize and continue their healing process.

Staffing and Future Plans

• 🧑‍⚕️ With the increased capacity for manatees, ZooTampa has also hired additional staff to manage the workload.
• 🌸 The updated manatee rescue area, including these new pools, is scheduled to fully open next spring.
• ✨ The team finds fulfillment in working with manatees, noting that every case is different and returning animals to the wild is a rewarding outcome.