3 manatees moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld, ZooTampa after TikTok video goes viral

Jason Kelly
·1 min read

Three manatees have been moved from Miami Seaquarium after video of one of the manatees went viral on TikTok, sparking public outcry.

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The drone video showed a manatee named Romeo swimming alone in a small, circular pool in backstage area, away from park visitors.

On Tuesday, manatees Romeo and Juliet were moved from the marine-life park on Key Biscayne to ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

“We are grateful to all organizations involved in this intricate operation and pledge our continued commitment to help Florida wildlife,” the Zoo said in a Facebook post.

Photos: Tokitae through the years

Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.
Clarity the manatee was moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando on Tuesday.
Clarity the manatee was moved from Miami Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando on Tuesday.

Read: Li’i, Lolita’s companion at Miami Seaquarium, moved to SeaWorld in San Antonio

Also on Tuesday, a third manatee named Clarity was moved from the Seaquarium to SeaWorld Orlando.

The park said Clarity is in critical condition but is stable.

Clarity is “resting in a medical pool with other manatees as she receives around-the-clock care and a complete workup by our veterinary and manatee specialist care team,” SeaWorld said.

Read: Lolita the killer whale, 57, dies at Miami Seaquarium ahead of her planned return to the wild

“While we don’t yet have a complete picture of her current health, we are cautiously optimistic about her future,” the park said in a Facebook post. “Our compassionate and dedicated team will do everything we can to help her return to optimal health.”

SeaWorld said that once Clarity is in better health, wildlife authorities will “review her case and determine best placement for her at another facility.”

The park said that the manatees were moved at the request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and it was assisted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

SeaWorld has rescued more than 50 manatees so far this year.

See a map of Miami Seaquarium below:

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Tokitae the killer whale, also known as Toki or Lolita, lives at Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne.
Tokitae the killer whale, also known as Toki or Lolita, lives at Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne.
Lolita performed two shows daily at the Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years.
Lolita performed two shows daily at the Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years.
Lolita in the 80’ long x 35’ wide x 20’ deep tank in Miami.
Lolita in the 80’ long x 35’ wide x 20’ deep tank in Miami.
GF Default - VIDEO: Lolita/Tokitae captured in Penn Cove in 1970s
GF Default - VIDEO: Lolita/Tokitae captured in Penn Cove in 1970s
Lolita has been performing in Miami.
Lolita has been performing in Miami.
Tokitae the killer whale, also known as Toki or Lolita, lives at Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne.
Tokitae the killer whale, also known as Toki or Lolita, lives at Miami Seaquarium on Key Biscayne.
A protest for Lolita was held at Alki on Saturday.
A protest for Lolita was held at Alki on Saturday.
<span>FILE -- In this March 9, 1995 file photo, trainer Marcia Hinton pets Lolita, a captive orca whale, during a performance at the Miami Seaquarium in Miami. NOAA is deciding this month whether Lolita is a member of the small endangered population of killer whales that hang out in Washington state waters. But the decision isn’t likely to end fierce debate over what should be done with the whale. (AP Photo/Miami Herald, Nuri Vallbona, File)</span>