Romeo is Oldest Living Manatee
Greetings! Here’s news for you about the oldest living manatee. His name is Romeo and he’s believed by scientists to be at least 71 years old! Romeo is now living at the Gulfariumlocated on Okaloosa Island. Okaloosa Island is located in Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA.
“Romeo was wild born, meaning his exact date of birth is unknown, but when he was found in the Miami area in 1957, he was described as a ‘subadult’, which would put him in the region of two to five years old. At the most conservative end of the spectrum, that means he is at least 71 in 2026 and, in reality, more likely to be in his mid-70s.
When he came under human care for educational display, Romeo (then known as Big Bull) went to live at the Miami Seaquarium, where he remained until late 2023.
Overseen by the US Fish and Wildlife Services, he was temporarily relocated to Zoo Tampa before moving (for what is intended to be the last time) to the Gulfarium in June 2025.”
Patrick Berry, President of the Gulfarium said, “We are so honoured to be caring for Romeo. He has touched so many people and been such an inspiration for ocean conservation for so many years. To be able to carry on that legacy for his species with him here at the Gulfarium is such a pleasure.”
The year after his arrival at the Miami Seaquarium in 1957, “a female manatee (first called Mabel) was introduced to the facility and was renamed Juliet.”
“Romeo and Juliet would go on to form a lifelong bond and would have nine offspring together. Their first calf – Lorelei, born on 3 May 1975 – is believed to be the first manatee conceived and born while in human care. Romeo’s partner Juliet also reached an impressive age, certainly in excess of 65 years old when she passed away in April 2024 at Zoo Tampa.”
Romeo has been described as a, “laidback, gentle giant. He loves grazing along the lettuce forage feeders that rest on the bottom of his habitat, known as Manatee Cove.”
“He can almost always be found napping promptly at 2 p.m. near his favorite rock, often snuggled up with his best buddy Lil Joe (who is a sprightly 37-year-old manatee). They also share their home with Inigo, who is estimated to be around 10.”
The Gulfarium staff explained that, “Romeo’s favorite foods are romaine lettuce, apples and small pieces of sweet potato.”
“While it isn’t unheard of for manatees to live into their 60s, their more typical lifespan is between 30 and 40 years old. Their longevity tends to be particularly curtailed in the wild where they face a number of serious threats such as habitat destruction, pollution and injuries/fatalities caused by watercraft in their native rivers, bays and seagrass meadows of the southeast United States.”
Great efforts are underway in Florida to try to protect and bolster wild populations of these much-loved aquatic mammals, of which the Gulfarium plays its part as a member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP).
The Gulfarium’s Patrick Berry shared his thoughts on how he thinks manatee conservation has improved over the decades. “Certainly, great strides have been made, whether it be through state and local ordinances to protect the animals or the excellent conservation work undertaken by different groups such as the MRP which helps rescue and rehabilitate manatees.”
“Through MRP and its cooperation of federal, state and marine parks, manatees are rescued and, when ready to return to the wild after rehabilitation, they are tracked via a satellite tag for a year post release to see how they are doing and, if still well, can then be deemed a success.”
“Sometimes they must be rescued a second or third time even, and at that point may become conditionally non-releasable and become great ambassadors for their species as Romeo has been for some 70 years.”
To learn more about the endangered Florida manatee, below is an awesome award-winning Kobee Manatee® book for children…
Synopsis: In late September, Kobee Manatee® is on a twelve-hundred-mile mission to get back home to Florida from Cape Cod, Massachusetts before the impending cold threatens his life. On his southbound journey, he meets two new friends: Tess the seahorse, who loves to learn, and Pablo the hermit crab, who is in search for a new shell. Will Kobee and his friends make it to Florida in time? Children learn all about manatees and their habitat!
We Have Excellent Reviews for Kobee Manatee!
“Children can learn a great deal about manatees and their habitat by reading about Kobee and his friends and their traveling adventure.” – Dr. Katie Tripp, Director of Science and Conservation, Save the Manatee Club
“This luxuriously illustrated, infectiously charming story makes us want to save the manatee and have a plush version to hug.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews
“A swimmingly fun, educational trip sure to be enjoyed by young friends of the manatee.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.” – Mom’s Choice Awards
If you are in Florida and you see a sick or injured manatee, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 1-888-404-FWCC. They are the folks who are responsible for rescuing us in Florida.
Here’s the Save the Manatee Club link to learn more about manatees …
Here’s a cool link for you to learn more about how we’re rescued and brought into rehabilitation …
~ Robert Scott Thayer
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