The oldest known manatee has found a permanent home at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park as part of a statewide conservation initiative.

• Romeo, a male manatee over 70 years old, arrived at the park’s Manatee Cove as part of an effort led by the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The typical lifespan of manatees is 50-60 years.

The elderly manatee spent the past year-and-a-half receiving round-the-clock care and medical treatment from the manatee critical care team and veterinary staff at Zoo Tampa’s David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. Romeo has spent much of his life under managed care.

The partnership identified Gulfarium as the best option for Romeo’s long-term placement due to the park’s specialized facilities and dedicated animal care team.

• “Helping to create space at critical care centers while giving permanent homes to conditionally non-releasable manatees is a vital part of the MRP’s work, and we’re honored to play a role in that mission,” said Patrick Berry, CEO of Gulfarium. “Our dedicated animal care team is excited to provide Romeo with the support and enrichment he deserves.”

The conservation effort aims to expand capacity at manatee critical care facilities by placing manatees requiring long-term care in permanent homes. This allows acute care centers in central Florida to remain available for manatees needing urgent rescue and rehabilitation.

Romeo joins current rescued manatee residents Lil Joe and Inigo at the facility, where he can socialize and display natural behaviors in a safe environment. Due to his status as conditionally non-releasable, Romeo will live at Gulfarium for the remainder of his life.

Florida manatees face numerous threats, including habitat loss, red tide, boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Romeo’s transport was coordinated through the efforts of multiple organizations within the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.

Manatee Cove opened earlier this year and features a 300,000-gallon habitat with specialized life support systems, resting ledges and above and underwater viewing areas for guests. The exhibit serves as both a home for rescued manatees and an educational space to raise awareness about marine conservation.

Gulfarium is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association. Guests can see Romeo daily during their visit to the park.