Tampa’s largest zoo is celebrating a milestone.
The ZooTampa Manatee Critical Care Center works around the clock to rehabilitate sick wild manatees. The center is celebrating its 33rd year, while mourning the loss of one its inhabitant
On Sunday morning, the zoo also announced the passing of Juliet, one of the oldest manatees on record Sunday morning.
The center is the first non-profit of its kind that works to care for these gentle giants. It is one of four permitted to do so in the state of Florida. Since it began in 1991, it has treated over 400 manatees with more than 230 of those being reintroduced to Florida waters.
Lisa Smith, animal care supervisor, said there’s many reasons why injured manatees need special treatment.
“We see cold stress, orphaned calves, red tide poisoning, entanglements and boat strikes,” said Smith. “So, we treat them for all of those types of cases.”
The crew performs daily tube feedings to pass nutrients into their stomachs. Smith said there are many things residents can do to protect wild manatees.
“Easy things they can do is make sure they’re helping to protect our waterways,” said Smith. “Keeping them clean from trash and pollution, and practicing safe boating is super important.”
ZooTampa recently upgraded the water filtration system to help its mission. Visit ZooTampa.org to get the latest Manatee news.
Citrus County begins new program to ease teacher shortage
The Citrus County School district will be starting a program so students can get their high school diploma and an associate’s degree at the same time for free, leading to possible teaching careers.
Sam Himmel, superintendent of Citrus County schools, said this program will help peak students interest in working for the county early on.
“This year we are starting our teacher academy, where we can grow our own teachers” said Himmel. “We can send them through our own schools, they can start in the teaching profession. Then have then come back and work in Citrus County.”
No further information has been made public on the program.
Credits
Anchors: Justin Michael, Sam Allen
Producer: Justin Michael
Reporters: Joao Victor Pina, Fallon Crowell
Social Media: Sam Allen
Editor-in-Training: Melissa Baldelomar
Teleprompter: Joao Victor Pina
Video Editor: Aviva Kram
Cameras: Josh Skinner
Audio: Victoria Harris
Web Editor: Abby Papasodero
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson