From the News: Jacksonville zoo to build critical-care center for endangered manatees

Jacksonville zoo to build critical-care center for endangered manatees

Zoos and aquariums are often flooded with calls from members of the public asking them to take in injured wildlife.  Maybe it's an injured hawk by the side of the road, a mangy fox, or a chipmunk that's been roughed up a bit by the family cat.  When people see an animal that needs help, many of them turn to the local zoo.  That, in itself, is an encouraging thought.

What makes this harder for the zoos, however, is that we're not really made for this sort of work.  Many of us are not wildlife rehabilitators.  Granted, we're often happy to give non-releasable animals a home - there are plenty of species common in zoos (such as bald eagles and black bears) that zoos don't breed for this very reason - they're saving those spaces for injured or orphaned wild animals who need a home.  As for rehab, though?  Generally not (though many aquariums have excellent marine animal rescue programs).

Shuffling wild animals in and out of the collection makes vets nervous from a quarantine perspective, however.  Injured or orphaned wild animals are also very needy in terms of resource and time commitment, and not many zoos really have the personnel to devote to feeding baby birds every hour, or constantly exercising a hawk with a healing wing.  Every space taken up by Canada geese or gray squirrels represents space and resources that aren't going towards endangered species which the zoo is trying to sustain.  In these cases, the zoo generally acts as a facilitator, directing the visitor towards a wildlife rehabilitator who will be able to get the animal back on its feet... or wings... or belly, depending on the species.

For some species, however, there is very little a private individual wildlife rehabber can do.  Say, a manatee, for instance...

One of the most beloved mammals in the United States, the manatee is also one of our endangered species icons.  Between cold snaps and motor boat collisions, there are several injured or ailing manatees that need assistance every year, with few places able to provide it.  Several of the Florida zoos and aquariums have stepped up the challenge of providing care to manatees in need, either rehabilitation or (in the event their injuries prevent them from returning to the wild), sanctuary.

It's wonderful to see Jacksonville Zoo making a commitment to providing a better future for manatees.  Every zoo should follow this example in finding some way to contribute to the conservation of an endangered local species.