Editor’s note: We are reflecting on our 12 most impactful moments of 2025. Your support made these incredible stories of rescue, recovery and wonder at your Zoo possible. Thank you. We celebrate what your support made possible – and ask you to help create even more magical moments in 2026. Learn more here.   

2025 was full of conservation wins at our Zoo, and that includes expanding our expert care to help one of Florida’s most iconic species: manatees! We officially opened our brand-new Manatee Rehabilitation Center earlier this year. In April, we debuted our state-of-the-art facility and welcomed our first two manatee patients days later. Our rehabilitation center has allowed us to provide immediate care to manatee patients in need of additional monitoring and weight gain. We have been honored to offer our expertise to this incredible species, especially as our region has been at the epicenter of a historic wave of manatee deaths in recent years. 

Our first two manatee patients, Churro and Randa, stole our hearts, and we are happy to report that Churro is now back in her natural range after a successful rehabilitation – and Randa is getting close to this special moment! While we are currently taking a break from accepting patients as we complete some upgrades on our facilities, we hope to welcome more manatees in need this winter.  

In the meantime, two of our Conservation staff members, Senior Conservation Manager Becca Downey and Conservation Zoologist Kylie Lawson, have been hard at work helping other organizations with manatee rescues, releases, transportation and health assessments. The duo has travelled over 3,400 miles since January to assist in this species’ care! On top of hands-on field work, our team also hosted the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership veterinary meeting and general annual meeting. 

“It has felt satisfying to answer the call for a species that needs help in our own backyard,” said Kylie. “Our facility will help alleviate capacity issues at critical care centers and allow them to intake more animals in need.” 

We’ve noted all of the extraordinary moments of impact that our Conservation team has had on this important local species thanks to your support. Keep following along as we share what other mission-driven work your financial contributions have made possible this year.  

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.