Fort Walton Beach, FL (WKRG) – A new addition to Fort Walton Beach’s Gulf Coast.
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Yemfarium recently welcomed Romeo, the oldest known manatee.
“Manatee lives to be 50-60 years old. I know he’s over 70, so I’m excited to take care of him,” said Patrick Berry, CEO of Galfarium.
Galfarium visitors saw the gentle giant in the Manatee Chat on Friday.
Berry said Romeo is well adapted to Galfarium’s Manatee Cove along with new friends Inigo and Lil Joe.
Romeo came to the Gulf Coast from Tampa where he received 24 hours a day care.
“It’s decided to take him here so he can be with two other manatees that are conditionally unreliable. These two guys and all three will probably not return to the wild anytime soon due to their condition,” Berry said.
His arrival is part of an ongoing statewide conservation initiative to ensure long-term care and rehabilitation of manatees in need.
“Manatees are monitored when they are released back to Wild after at least nearly a year through tracking devices,” Berry said.
Galfarium officials said Florida manatees face many threats from habitat loss to boat strikes.
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They encourage manatees to meet and stay distanced, so they all have the chance to live longer than Romeo.
