Victory! Manatees Rescued from Decades-long Captivity

In a significant victory for animal rights activists and federal wildlife authorities, the decades-long captivity of two aging manatees, Romeo and Juliet, at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida is coming to an end. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has intervened, paving the way for their relocation to a sanctuary, following a campaign by advocacy group UrgentSeas and a scathing report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Romeo, a 67-year-old manatee, and Juliet, 61, were “rescued” as calves in 1956 and have since lived in what has been described as “ever deteriorating conditions.” UrgentSeas released a video last month, revealing Romeo swimming alone in a tiny, decaying circular tank in a remote, non-public area of the park. The manatees, known for their semi-social nature, had been kept apart for months, leading to what was described as “horrendous captivity.”

The Free Romeo campaign gained widespread Support, with over 3.3 million people viewing the video and joining the cause. Phil Demers, founder of UrgentSeas and a former marine mammal trainer, praised the public response for contributing to the successful campaign, calling it a “humbling experience” to be part of such a powerful movement.

The FWS decision was also influenced by a damning report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which highlighted multiple violations by the Seaquarium in veterinary care, staffing levels, and overall animal living conditions. The manatees, along with a third unidentified younger manatee, all faced reported health problems, making their transportation a “high-risk” operation.

While Romeo’s health and dietary issues make it unlikely for him to be released into the wild, the FWS is working with the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership to secure their relocation. The ultimate destination has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be a facility within the partnership, where the manatees can swim freely and receive specialized veterinary care.

The operation to move the manatees is set to take place by the middle of the month, in response to a deadline set by the Miami-Dade Commission following the USDA report. Activists had planned a demonstration at the Seaquarium, emphasizing the need for change and accountability in the treatment of captive marine animals.

The move to free Romeo and Juliet comes amid other controversies surrounding the Seaquarium, including the death of the beloved orca Tokitae in August. Animal rights advocates, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have demanded the termination of the Seaquarium’s lease, citing a pattern of mistreatment and neglect.

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Related Content:

• Miami Seaquarium Cited by USDA for Multiple Violations
• Lolita, the Miami Seaquarium Orca, Dead Before She Could Be Set Free
• Reports Reveal Rotten Fish, Emaciation, and Starvation in Marine Animals at Miami Seaquarium
• Local Commission Votes Unanimously to Free Lolita – Urge Miami Seaquarium to Let Her Go!
• Tragic Story of Albino Dolphin Captured By Miami Seaquarium Shows the Real Cost of Captivity

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