What manatees and dugongs require for good welfare in captivity and how their specialised ecology creates unique management challenges.
Manatee welfare in captivity and in wild rehabilitation settings centres on one non-negotiable requirement: warm water. Manatees that experience cold stress develop an immune-compromised condition that predisposes them to respiratory disease, skin lesions and death. In captivity, this means year-round heated pool water at a minimum of 20 degrees C - a significant energy cost in facilities outside tropical regions. For wild manatees in winter months in Florida, warm water refugia at power plant discharge sites and natural springs have become critical survival resources. The welfare of both captive and wild manatees depends on maintaining thermal access throughout the cold season.