BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo has had a hand in helping the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission rescue manatees over the past six years. Now, the zoo is increasing their efforts with a new manatee rehabilitation facility.
The new facility will allow rescued manatees to get treatment sooner because of the zoo’s proximity to the Indian River Lagoon.
With three large tanks and a smaller tank — room for six manatees — the zoo will treat noncritical cases.
SeaWorld usually cares for animals hurt by boat strikes, stunned by the cold, or dealing with other serious injuries.
However, the zoo’s new rehab facility will help prevent SeaWorld from getting backed up with too many animals.
The new care center — facilitated by a FWC grant — will be the first in the county. The zoo also plans to build a seagrass nursery to help restore the loss of the critical food source for manatees in the Indian River Lagoon.
In March 2021, FWC declared an Unusual Mortality Event because of manatees dying of starvation at a record rate.
The zoo said they plan to create a rehabilitation center at their future Aquarium and Conservation Center.
They said their goal is for all manatee patients to get released back into their native range.
While the facility is being constructed, the zoo said staff will work with neighboring, accredited facilities to learn more about manatee care. The zoo’s two veterinarians will also continue their education to learn more about the species.
The zoo is also working to hire additional employees that have experience working with manatees.