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Rocky Balboa comes to Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center

All Rocky Balboa needs is music on the soundtrack after arriving by truck at Tampa's Manatee Viewing Center.
All Rocky Balboa needs is music on the soundtrack after arriving by truck at Tampa’s Manatee Viewing Center.

Like his fictional boxer namesake, Rocky Balboa – Florida manatee – is a fighter: rescued from Rocky Creek on Jan. 29 while suffering from cold stress, the 380-pound mammal regained his strength and health in a matter of days at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.

And on Feb. 9 he was back in the wild, with Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center his point of return.

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued Rocky Balboa the same day that two other manatees re-entered the wild at the Manatee Viewing Center. It brings the total numbers of manatees released at the center this season to seven. And, just like what those gentle Florida natives received – and a bit like what the silver screen’s Rocky enjoys – Rocky, the manatee, garnered cheers from the throngs of Manatee Viewing Center visitors who were on hand to wish him a warm send-off in the clean, warm water discharge canal of Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach.

Preparing for the big event.
Preparing for the big event.

Speaking of Rocky’s rescue, Lauren Smith, associate veterinarian with Lowry Park Zoo, said that people should know what to watch for with manatees in the water – not just to keep them safe, but also to recognize when they need the help of rescue agencies. Signs include:

  • A manatee spending an unusual amount of time breathing on the surface of the water.
  • A manatee that appears emaciated.
  • A manatee with open wounds, possibly from a boat collision.
  • A manatee that seems to be by itself, with no companion manatees nearby.
Don't let the calm demeanor fool you - he's a fighter.
Don’t let the calm demeanor fool you – he’s a fighter.

If you see a manatee that appears to be showing one or more of these signs, call FWC’s toll-free wildlife alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922). Remember, you should never touch or feed a manatee in the wild.

Instead, you can take comfort in knowing that manatees have places like Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center where they can find protection from life-threatening cold water in the winter.

“Once again, our partnership with the dedicated local community of manatee advocates has proven valuable,” said Jamie Woodlee, senior environmental technician with Environmental, Health & Safety. “By the looks of it, Rocky Balboa appreciates the fighting chance he’s been given too.”

Go get 'em, Rock!
Go get ’em, Rock!

Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center offers free parking and admission and is open to the public annually through April 15. We suggest you check Tampa Bay water temperature and use the center’s east or and west webcams to get an idea whether you’ll be able to see manatees up close in the canal before you visit. Watch video of the Jan. 29 manatee release on TECO Energy’s YouTube channel.

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