The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park welcomed two rescued manatees to its newly renovated facility on January 29, establishing the first manatee rehabilitation center in the Florida Panhandle.

• The facility converted its 300,000-gallon dolphin habitat into Manatee Cove, featuring enhanced life support systems, a medical area, and specialized resting ledges for the manatees.

Lil Joe and Inigo, who previously resided at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Disney, are the first residents of the new facility.

“The Gulfarium is honored to welcome Lil Joe and Inigo, two extraordinary manatees who will help illuminate the urgent conservation needs of their species,” said Patrick Berry, CEO of the Gulfarium.

The project began in 2022 when Berry first discussed creating a manatee care facility with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The new facility joins the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), working alongside the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

• By providing long-term care for rescued manatees, the Gulfarium aims to reduce pressure on central Florida’s critical-care facilities. The organization plans to expand its services to provide critical care for manatees in the northern Gulf Coast region.

The facility includes a new education area where visitors can attend daily educational programs about manatee conservation. The manatees can be viewed as part of general admission to the Gulfarium.

The Gulfarium maintains accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association.

“Our vision has always been to create a caring environment where manatees can continue their healing journeys while inspiring our guests to connect more deeply with marine life,” added Berry. “By taking on the long-term care of these animals, we enable facilities in central Florida and elsewhere to devote critical resources to those manatees in acute need. We’re proud to stand with our partners in the MRP to protect these vulnerable creatures.”