Zoo & Captive Animal Welfare

Zoo Manatee Welfare

Manatees are vulnerable aquatic mammals kept in some zoological facilities. Their welfare requires warm water temperatures, abundant aquatic vegetation, and adequate space for movement.

Key Facts

Manatees are warm-water adapted and suffer cold stress below 20 degrees Celsius
They require access to abundant aquatic vegetation or substitute browse
Manatees are slow-moving and susceptible to boat strike injury in the wild
Some captive manatees are rehabilitation animals that cannot be released
Manatee social behaviour is relatively flexible but conspecific contact is beneficial

Welfare Considerations

Manatee welfare requires strict thermal management and adequate food provision. Facilities that cannot maintain appropriate warm water temperatures and food supply cannot adequately care for manatees.

What You Can Do

Support accredited facilities with appropriate manatee thermal and nutritional management
Learn about manatee ecology and conservation threats from boat strike and habitat loss
Advocate for warm water standards for aquatic mammals in captivity
Support wild manatee conservation including boat speed restrictions in manatee habitat