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Baby Manatee Enzo Receives Tender Care at ZooTampa

Enzo, the baby manatee, is nurtured back to health at ZooTampa.

News Summary

A baby manatee named Enzo is recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa after being rescued in a precarious condition from the chilly waters near St. Petersburg. Weighing just 272 pounds and suffering from dangerously low body temperature, Enzo is receiving around-the-clock care. The dedicated rehabilitation team aims to help him regain strength before a hopeful return to the wild. This incident highlights the broader conservation challenges faced by manatees, prompting calls for action to protect these gentle giants.

Baby Manatee Enzo Receives Tender Care at ZooTampa After Cold Stress Scare

In the charming city of Tampa, a joyfully heartwarming tale is stirring hope and concern alike. Meet Enzo, an adorable baby manatee who found himself in a real pickle after a chilly spell hit the waters of Bayboro Harbor near the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus. Rescued on January 22, 2025, Enzo was battling the effects of cold stress, but thanks to the hard-working team at ZooTampa, he is now on the path to recovery.

Cold Stress: A Serious Challenge for Manatees

When Enzo was rescued, he weighed in at a mere 272 pounds, and unfortunately, he was less than a year old. He was sporting a low body temperature of just 76 degrees—far below the normal 98 degrees for these gentle marine mammals. Cold stress is no small matter; manatees experiencing this condition can show symptoms like skin bleaching, visible abscesses, unresolved sores, and being underweight. For Enzo, this meant he needed immediate attention and care.

ZooTampa to the Rescue

Once safely transported on a cloth stretcher, Enzo was whisked away to ZooTampa to begin his rehabilitation journey. This winter has seen an uptick in manatees needing assistance due to frigid weather, pushing the shelter’s resources to the limit. The team at ZooTampa is acutely aware of the challenges faced by manatees in the wild, as cold temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit significantly threaten their well-being.

The dedicated staff is working around the clock to nurse Enzo back to health, placing him in a heated pool that helps raise his body temperature gradually. A careful introduction of foods like lettuce is part of the plan to aid his recovery process, paving the way for what everyone hopes will be a joyful return to the wild.

Goals for the Future

The goal for Enzo is to hit a healthy release weight of around 600 pounds. The ZooTampa rehabilitation team is closely monitoring his progress, hoping to see him flourish as he grows. They are hopeful that with the right care, Enzo can overcome the early challenges he faced and can successfully adapt to his aquatic environment when the time comes.

The Bigger Picture: Conservation Challenges for Manatees

Unfortunately, Enzo’s story is just one of many concerning incidents. In 2024 alone, 565 manatees were reported dead due to various causes, drawing attention to the ongoing conservation challenges facing these magnificent creatures. While Florida manatees are currently classified as threatened, there are increasing calls from environmental advocates for them to regain their endangered status. With ongoing threats and habitat loss, these gentle giants truly need our help.

A Call to Action

ZooTampa’s critical care center is well-equipped to handle various rehabilitation needs, whether it’s a baby manatee like Enzo or others suffering from injuries or starvation due to environmental hardships. With professionals dedicated to their care, there is hope and resilience here in Tampa, reminding us all of the vital role manatees play in our ecosystem.