The South Florida Museum Welcomes Tannenbaum And O’Neil!

Featured Image Credit: GRANT JEFFERIES/Bradenton Herald
By: Laura O’Brien

Two new residents are brightening the South Florida Museum’s manatee exhibit, after renovations following a tragedy last year. Tannebaum and O’Neil moved into their new exhibit on National Manatee Day, and they are the 34th and 35th manatees to be treated at the aquarium. They have become good pals during their stay. Tannenbaum, a 730-pound behemoth, was rescued after becoming entangled in January. O’Neil was an orphan who was rescued and taken into SeaWorld, where grew from 30 to 565 pounds.

Now the pair spends their days floating around the aquarium together and munching on food. South Florida Museum typically receives manatees who have had prior treatment and need a temporary home while they regain their strength before release.

Image Credit: GRANT JEFFERIES/Bradenton Herald

Both new residents at the aquarium come after South Florida Museum revamped the exhibit due to a tragic incident that occurred in July 2017. The oldest captive manatee at the time, named Snooty, was a resident at the South Florida Aquarium when he became trapped underwater after drifting into an area which was supposed to be restricted. A bolt failed and caused the area to become accessible to Snooty and his tankmates, but Snooty was the largest, so he became stuck and drowned. The aquarium is using a $250,000 grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to improve the exhibit. The South Florida Museum’s website has a page commemorating Snooty, which says, “Snooty’s legacy will continue at the South Florida Museum through our work in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, a network of providers who rescue sick and injured manatees, rehabilitate them and return them to the wild”.

The South Florida Museum has been rehabilitating animals and providing community education for 20 years. Through the improvement of their facilities, they hope to provide a better and safer experience for their animal residents, and to continue providing inspiration and insight to the community.

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