A 71-year-old manatee living at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Destin–Fort Walton Beach has earned a place in the record books.
- Romeo, a West Indian manatee, was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest manatee ever recorded. Gulfarium staff presented Romeo with his certificate during a special ceremony this week.
Romeo arrived at the Gulfarium’s Manatee Cove last year after spending a year-and-a-half receiving round-the-clock care at Zoo Tampa’s David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. He was placed at the Gulfarium through a coordinated effort by the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Romeo has spent much of his life under managed care and is classified as conditionally non-releasable.
His exact birth date is unknown because he was born in the wild, but when Romeo was first documented in 1957, he was already considered a subadult — meaning he was likely two to five years old at the time. The typical manatee lifespan is 30 to 40 years.
“Romeo is truly one of a kind,” said Gulfarium President Patrick Berry. “To have the opportunity to care for such an incredible animal and continue sharing his story with our guests is an honor.”
- Berry said Romeo has inspired countless people to learn more about manatees and the importance of protecting the waters they call home.
Romeo shares his habitat at Manatee Cove with fellow rescued manatees Lil Joe and Inigo. The 300,000-gallon facility features specialized life support systems, resting ledges and above and underwater viewing areas for guests.
Guests can see Romeo and the other resident manatees at Manatee Cove. More information is available at gulfarium.com.
