Gulfarium Supports Manatee Conservation Initiative with Arrival of Romeo at Manatee Cove

Gulfarium is proud to announce the arrival of manatee, Romeo, to Manatee Cove as part of a statewide conservation initiative led by the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
 
At over 70-years-old, Romeo is the oldest known manatee, the lifespan of manatees is likely 50-60 years. Over the past year and a half, Romeo received round-the-clock care and essential medical interventions from the dedicated manatee critical care team and veterinary staff at Zoo Tampa’s David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. The MRP identified Gulfarium as the best option for his long-term placement, recognizing the park’s specialized facilities and dedicated animal care team. He has spent much of his life under managed care.
 
This ongoing effort is designed to expand capacity at manatee critical care facilities by placing manatees requiring long-term care in permanent homes. By welcoming Romeo, a male manatee, Gulfarium is supporting the MRP’s mission to ensure the long-term care of this animal continues while enabling acute care centers in central Florida, for example, to remain available for manatees in need of urgent rescue and rehabilitation.
 
“Helping to create space at critical care centers while giving permanent homes to conditionally non-releasable manatees is a vital part of the MRP’s work, and we’re honored to play a role in that mission,” said Patrick Berry, CEO of Gulfarium. “Our dedicated animal care team is excited to provide Romeo with the support and enrichment he deserves.”
 
Due to his status, Romeo will live at Gulfarium for the remainder of his life, receiving expert care in one of their state-of-the-art habitats designed specifically for long-term manatee residents. He joins current rescued manatee residents Lil Joe and Inigo, where he can socialize and display natural behaviors in a safe, enriching environment.
 
Florida manatees face numerous threats, from habitat loss and red tide to boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Romeo’s transport was made possible through the efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FWC, Zoo Tampa, and Gulfarium, all members of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership—a coalition working together to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect manatees through coordinated care, research, and education.
 
Manatee Cove, which opened earlier this year, features a 300,000-gallon habitat equipped with specialized life support systems, resting ledges, and above and underwater viewing areas for guests. The exhibit serves both as a home for rescued manatees and as an educational space to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation.
 
Gulfarium is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA), demonstrating its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional animal care, training, and welfare.
 
Guests can see Romeo daily during their visit to Gulfarium.