Meet our Patients

Manatees are one of Florida’s most recognizable species. Although their closest relative are elephants, they are often referred to as sea cows because they can weigh up to 3,500 pounds (1,590 kg) and eat an herbivorous diet. Manatees live in shallow, calm rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas and can move from fresh to salt water with no problem. Manatee’s biggest threats are humans. Boat strike injuries and entanglements in pollution are some of the main reasons why manatees come to the David A. Straz Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa.

Meet out current patients:

 

Heinz:

–          Transfer from SeaWorld Orlando- Initial rescue was boat strike- lung injury

–          Rescued from Crystal River in September 2018

–          Female

–          Age is very difficult to estimate with adults- over 10 years at least

–          1200 lbs currently

–          Still under observation/care for her lung injury

Sriracho:

–          Transfer from SeaWorld Orlando – Initial rescue was with injured mom – Heinz.  He was still dependent on her at the time of rescue.  Has since weened.

–          Male

–          Under 2 years old approx.

–          Current Weight:  570 lbs

–          Now separated from mom since she is still under observation/critical care and he is old enough to be without her.  He schedule for a tentative release this winter

Cayo:

–          Rescued in 2015 for boat strike

–          He is non releasable due to his lung injury- Is lung is permanently damaged and he cannot control is buoyancy due to that.  He is what we call a sinker and stays at the bottom of the pool.  He is able to get to surface for breaths and food but would be unable to survive in the wild due to those injuries

–          Weight: 625

–          Age:  Under 6 years old

Fern:

–          Rescued May 8 from Charlotte County – Boat strike, pneumothorax (collapsed lung(s))

–          Age: under 10 years old

–          Weight:  740lbs

–          Still under observation/care but showing signs of improvement

Wilbur:

–          Rescued May 8 with injured Mom – Fern

–          Female

–          Age: under 1 years old

–          Current Weight: 305 lbs

Collie:

–         Rescued from Naples for boat strike, pneumothorax

–          Weight at rescue was 415 lbs

–          Under 2 years old

–          Stable, still under observation but progressing well

Slate:

–          Rescued as an orphaned calf from Crystal river in Feb 2018

–          Rehabbed by SeaWorld.  Moved to Bishop aquarium to gain weight.  Moved to us due to Bishop aquarium construction

–          Weight on date of rescue 163 lbs

–          Current weight: is 516 lbs

–          He schedule for a tentative release this winter

Obsidian:

–          Rescued as an orphaned calf from Crystal river in Feb 2018

–          Rehabbed by SeaWorld.  Moved to Bishop aquarium to gain weight.  Moved to us due to Bishop aquarium construction

–          Weight on date of rescue 190 lbs

–          Current weight: 632 lbs

–          He schedule for a tentative release this winter

Tupper:

–          Rescued from Bradenton, Wares creek on Aug 28th

–          Rehabbed by SeaWorld.  Moved to Bishop aquarium to gain weight.  Moved to us due to Bishop aquarium construction

–          Buoyant on back end, believed to be GI related

–          Currently under close observation and treatment

–          Weight: 1125 lbs

 

Templeton:

–          Rescued 10-7-2019

–          Rescued from Charlotte County

–          Weighs 380 lbs – about 1 years old

–          Boat strike, pneumothorax

–          Still under treatment

Jenkins:

–          Rescued 10-15-2019

–          Rescued from Jenkins Creek, Hernando Beach

–          Weighs 520 lbs – about 2 years old

–          Boat strike, pneumothorax

–          Still under treatment

The David A. Straz Manatee Critical Care Center is at the forefront in the care and conservation of manatees. As one of only four manatee critical care and rehabilitation centers in the United States, ZooTampa has cared for more than 400 injured, sick and orphaned manatees. A dedicated team of animal care and veterinary staff tend to the manatees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the goal of releasing them back into Florida waters. Each visit helps us on our mission to preserve and protect wildlife.

Commemorations

Please review our booking tips before continuing

Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.

 Acceptable Items
  • Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
  • Small snacks for young children
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
  • Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
 Prohibited Items
  • Prepared or packaged food or meals
  • Alcohol
  • Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

  • Any type of explosive or weapon
  • Knives or other sharp objects
  • Pepper spray
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Marijuana
  • Illegal drugs
  • Straws
  • Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
  • Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

  • Segways
  • Hover boards
  • Two-wheeled scooters
  • Self-balancing electric vehicles
  • Shoes with wheels
  • Drones
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Pay For A Day Tickets

With a new Pay For A Day, Rest of Year Free ticket – for a limited time – you get unlimited admission through December 31, 2023 including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Pay For A Day ticket expire?

For a limited time, new Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets are valid from the day of purchase until 12/31/2023 Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets which were purchased prior to October 1st, 2022 are valid until 12/31/2022.

What are the blockout dates?

3/11/23 – 3/19/23
11/24/23 – 11/26/23
12/26/23 – 12/31/23

Can I purchase a Pay For A Day ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

Can I use my Pay For A Day ticket on blockout dates?

If you already have your Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket and wish to visit during a listed blockout date, please stop by the Zoo’s ticketing windows for alternate options:

  1. During blockout periods, Pay For A Day ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.
  2. For a limited time from the date of purchase, Pay For A Day tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).
I purchased a Pay For A Day ticket online. How do I get my actual ticket?

Bring a copy of your confirmation (or show the confirmation email on your mobile device) to expedite entry into the Zoo. At your convenience during your visit you can stop by the Tours & Guest Services kiosk located just inside the Zoo to print your physical pass. No need to stand in line at the ticket windows. Walk right in!
Still have questions? Email us or call (813) 935-8552 ext. 0.