TAMPA, Fla. — Giggles and excitement were on display at ZooTampa when a group of Mission Tampa Bay campers came on Tuesday. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mission: Tampa Bay campers learned all about manatee rehabilitation Tuesday at ZooTampa

  • The goal of the camp is to foster a love of science, engineering, and technology. The girls learned about manatee rehabilitation and care from the experts

  • The girls were in fifth through ninth grade from Hillsborough County public schools

  • They all participated in a mock manatee rescue and learn the actions they can take to protect the beloved sea cows

The girls’ ages ranged from 10 to 14. They ran from animal exhibit to exhibit, but became most excited when they stood in front of the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center.

“Manatees,” they all shouted as they smiled for a picture out front. 

Today the young girls were taught about manatee rehab and release. For some of the campers, it was their first time seeing a manatee up close. 

Even when it began to rain, the smiles never dwindled. 

“I like the rain, honestly. And it kind of feels a lot more fun,” said Stella Shedlock, 13 and a Mission Tampa Bay Camper. 

Shedlock calls herself a “sciency-math” girl with pride. 

“I think manatees are one of my favorite animals, so they’re really cute,” said Shedlock. “I never actually knew about the manatee problem. So this is actually educating me a lot.”

Problem solving is a big part of this camp, because many challenges face wild manatees. All the manatees the campers saw were rescued and are in the process of being treated so they can be released back into the wild again. 

“We are going to include them in a case study with one of the manatees that has been a patient here at the zoo where they’ll help diagnose and learn about how we were able to help that manatee,” said Arinn Bolin, Director Guest Engagement, ZooTampa. “Many people don’t have a chance to see a manatee up close, even if they are right here in our own backyard. Not everyone can get out to the beach or the springs and go exploring in the same way that others might.”

The experience left most of the girls more curious, inspired and determined to learn. 

“Marine biology,” said Shedlock, when asked about a possible career in the future. “This is definitely opened up my eyes with all the NOAA workers talking about their jobs is very interesting. And I also, like I got scuba certified, and I heard that NOAA, they do underwater exploration and that sounds really cool to me.”

The girls left the zoo soaked from the rain, but also happy they soaked up a ton of knowledge about manatees and conservation.