TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — ZooTampa at Lowry Park is currently providing care and rehabilitation to 27 manatees, the most the zoo has had at one time.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center has surpassed 600 manatees cared for since opening the center in 1991, according to ZooTampa.

“Leveraging nearly three decades of manatee care experience gives us a distinct advantage in helping these animals in their fight for survival. It’s a great day when we can release our patients,” said Tiffany Burns, ZooTampa’s senior director of animal programs and president of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership.

Two manatee patients have been released back into the wild this week after completing their rehabilitation.

Habenero, a 685-pound male manatee was rescued in July 2023 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission following a watercraft impact.

Dawlee, a 1,000-pound manatee was rescued in May 2024 due to an injury from a crab pot entanglement.

“We have already released 12 manatees back to Florida waters and have an additional 13 releases scheduled this winter. However, the manatees keep coming in and the need for critical care intervention will be even higher as the temperature drops and some manatees struggle to find warmer waters,” Burns said.

According to ZooTampa, their Manatee Critical Care Center is the largest nonprofit center of its kind in the U.S.