The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved ZooTampa to once again accept rescue manatees, with the condition that senior veterinarian Ray Ball doesn't treat the animals, according to a letter sent March 7 obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
Last November the zoo was ordered to "cease all activities involving manatees" after Ball was charged with mistreating the animals. Allegations against Ball included releasing manatees back into the wild with open wounds, using experimental drugs on the animals, and incorrectly performed thoracocentesis, or a "chest tap," on the manatees.
In a statement released yesterday, the zoo says that Dr. Lauren Smith will now head the manatee medical care program in the recently renovated manatee care center, which includes a $3 million taxpayer-funded water-filtration system. Smith will also be assisted by Tiffany Burns, the zoo’s associate curator.
“The Zoo team is working collaboratively with all partners, including the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, to facilitate the process of bringing manatees to the Zoo’s critical care center,” reads the statement. “For nearly three decades, ZooTampa has been entrusted to save hundreds of manatees in the wild — with the goal of returning them to native waters. The Zoo is ready to provide life-saving care to Florida manatees once again.”
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