ZooTampa honored for manatee rescue work with county conservation award

At the start of the April 15 meeting, Commissioner Christine Miller presented the 2026 Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award to ZooTampa at Lowry Park in recognition of the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center and its manatee rescue and rehabilitation work.

Commissioner Miller summarized the award’s origin (created by the board in January 2017) and the subcommittee review process that recommended this year’s recipient. She said the manatee care team has rescued more than 635 manatees and returned 356 to the wild; the board presented a plaque and offered a $2,000 enhancement project at a county nature area of the recipient’s choice.

Representatives from ZooTampa thanked the board and described the center’s rescue work, public engagement and educational programs. Commissioners and staff recognized the team and posed for photographs following the presentation.