Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) team tagged Vamo for monitoring before the 765-pound manatee was released by the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership at TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center on Thursday, January 16. Vamo was released together with another manatee named Icing after both animals were rehabilitated at ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
This is actually Vamo’s second release since last year. He was initially released on January 30, 2024, but needed to be quickly rescued again after failing to find warm water and suffering from cold stress less than a month after his release. Thanks to being tagged and closely monitored, he was able to get a second chance, and the CMARI team will continue to monitor him again. The warm waters around TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center provide a safe refuge and gathering spot for manatees during colder months, where released manatees can learn to return to warm water and successfully thrive in the wild again.
All manatee work was conducted under USFWS Research Permit # MA37808A-2.
Donate and support CMA at HelpCMA.org!
© 2025 Clearwater Marine Aquarium
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
facebook.com/ClearwaterMarineAquarium
instagram.com/cmaquarium
twitter.com/CMAquarium
tiktok.com/@cmaquarium
cmaquarium.org
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) team tagged Vamo for monitoring before the 765-pound manatee was released by the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership at TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center on Thursday, January 16. Vamo was released together with another manatee named Icing after both animals were rehabilitated at ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
This is actually Vamo’s second release since last year. He was initially released on January 30, 2024, but needed to be quickly rescued again after failing to find warm water and suffering from cold stress less than a month after his release. Thanks to being tagged and closely monitored, he was able to get a second chance, and the CMARI team will continue to monitor him again. The warm waters around TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center provide a safe refuge and gathering spot for manatees during colder months, where released manatees can learn to return to warm water and successfully thrive in the wild again.
All manatee work was conducted under USFWS Research Permit # MA37808A-2.
Donate and support CMA at HelpCMA.org!
© 2025 Clearwater Marine Aquarium
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
facebook.com/ClearwaterMarineAquarium
instagram.com/cmaquarium
twitter.com/CMAquarium
tiktok.com/@cmaquarium
cmaquarium.org
