65+ Year Old ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Manatees Join Zoo Tampa
Manatees are some of the ocean’s favorite gentle giants. Whether you’re a Florida native or a vacationer, these sea cows are always cool to see. Manatees Romeo and Juliet were transported to ZooTampa last week from Miami for round-the-clock care.
Romeo and Juliet have been living in the Miami Seaquarium since the 1950’s. According to a press release, there were calls to provide a better social living environment for these manatees. This prompted the Seaquarium to transfer these manatees towards our neck of the woods at ZooTampa.
These manatees were carefully moved to their new home with help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Veterinarians and animal care specialists traveled with these manatees to ensure they were getting all the care they needed during the remaining years of their lives.
How will ZooTampa help Romeo and Juliet?
Dr. Cynthia Sttringfield, manatee critical care vet and Senior Vice President of Animal Health, Conservation and Education, said, “It’s going to be a long road, but there is no facility better prepared to address the urgent health needs of these manatees while the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership identifies the best option for their long-term placements.”
Since they have arrived, the team at ZooTampa has conducted blood tests that didn’t show any abnormal readings. According to Stringfield, even though these animals appear in good health, they worry about their cardiac health.
Most manatees weigh between 1,000 and 3,500 pounds. Romeo and Juliet both weigh over 3,000 pounds which is not typically normal. Officials at the zoo say that Juliet has not been eating since arriving in Tampa, but it isn’t uncommon for these creatures to hold off on food after they were transported to ZooTampa.
These two majestic beasts are happily living out their lives in the rehabilitation pools, spending time with the other manatees at the zoo. According to officials, one of the most important parts of manatees living in captivity is to interact with other manatees. If you want to catch a glimpse of these manatees, head over to ZooTampa and track their progress.
