Two manatees released back into wild at TECO Manatee Viewing Center

ZooTampa helped release two manatees back into Florida waters Tuesday morning after they received expert care and rehabilitation. “It’s an amazing feeling. It really just puts into perspective everything that these manatees have gone through,” said Hannah Walsh, part of the manatee rescue team at ZooTampa. Pebbles, a juvenile manatee, was rescued after suffering from boat strike wounds, cold stress, and malnutrition, weighing just 390 pounds. After almost two years of daily around the clock care, ZooTampa said she’s now a healthy 915 pounds.