Manatee Mother, Calf Arrive at Lowry

A manatee mother and newborn calf struck by a boat near Naples, Fla., recently arrived at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, pushing the facility to a new record-high patient load of 15 manatees at one time at the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital within the Lykes Florida Wildlife Center.

According to the center, a large 1,625-pound cow and her 69-pound dependent male offspring have joined other patients in the care of zoo veterinary staff. Previously, the highest number of manatees being treated at the hospital at one time was 14 which happened in 2003 and again in 2006.

The zoo spends approximately $1 million a year on the manatee rehabilitation program. In addition to the rehabilitation program, the center educates more than one million visitors annually, stressing the importance of aquatic and marine habitat conservation.

A nonprofit organization, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo offers visitors an opportunity to “Share the Care,” supporting a favorite park resident and contributing to its care by becoming a “Zoo Parent.” There are other ways you can help support Lowry in its commitment to education, conservation and research … and to help make sure the hospital’s newest patients have a second chance.