ZooTampa’s Manatee Critical Care Center Marks 1,000th Rescue

ZooTampa’s Manatee Critical Care Center has reached a historic milestone: the admission of its 1,000th manatee patient since the facility opened in 1991. The record-setting manatee — a juvenile male nicknamed “Riptide” — was found entangled in fishing gear near St. Petersburg.

“One thousand manatees represents one thousand chances we gave these animals to live,” said Dr. Angela Green. “We’re proud of every single one of them, and we’re committed to 1,000 more.”

Of the Center’s 1,000 patients, 78% have been successfully treated and returned to the wild.