TAMPA, Fla. — Two iconic manatees, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and long-time residents of a Miami aquarium, have embarked on a new journey of rehabilitation, now under care at ZooTampa.
On Dec. 5, Romeo and Juliet were transported from the Miami Seaquarium (MSQ) to a critical care center at ZooTampa. The rescue was a joint effort between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP).
Since the late 1950s, the 67-year-old male, Romeo, and 61-year-old female, Juliet, weighing over 3,000 pounds, were cherished residents of MSQ.
The sea cows arrived at MSQ before the enactment of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
RELATED COVERAGE: Florida manatee feeding program discontinued after signs of natural seagrass recovery
While MRP works to find a permanent home for the duo, ZooTampa stepped forward to provide temporary care and a better social group.
ZooTampa’s David A. Straz Manatee Critical Care Center is one of only three centers of its kind in the nation.
According to ZooTampa, they are both currently undergoing veterinary examinations.