Manatees in zoo and aquarium settings serve primarily as rehabilitation centres for injured wild individuals, with welfare management focused on medical recovery and preparation for release where possible.
Manatee welfare in rehabilitation settings requires large pools with adequate thermal management, appropriate social contact, and a feeding regime that supports recovery without creating dependency. The welfare goal for most manatees is eventual release, which means avoiding excessive human contact that could make released animals approach boats — a potentially fatal behaviour. Permanent residents require enrichment and social housing where possible to prevent boredom. The underlying cause of most manatee welfare emergencies — boat collisions — is addressable through speed restrictions in manatee habitat, making this a policy issue as much as a veterinary one.