The Brevard Zoo is breaking ground on a new manatee rehabilitation center after receiving a state grant and individual donations.
The manatee rehabilitation center funded by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant, along with individual donations, will be the first in the county.
It will provide immediate care to manatees in stable condition, but who need additional monitoring or help gaining weight.
The goal is to release all manatee patients back into their natural habitat.
We’re expanding our efforts to help manatees! The first manatee rehabilitation center in Brevard County is set to be built in a behind-the-scenes area at the Zoo this year.
— Brevard Zoo (@BrevardZoo) April 11, 2023
Read more on our blog: https://t.co/VxkS7qri9L pic.twitter.com/99pgWQUFx5
Fewer manatee deaths have been recorded in Brevard this year, compared with historic manatee die-offs there in 2021 and 2022.
Some experts fear that could mean the species has shrunk to only the hardiest survivors.
In other parts of the state, manatees are threatened by red tide. Sixty-five manatees in Lee County have died from red tide this year.
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