Baylo Goes Back Home

Baylo the manatee with House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Representative Josie Tomkow.
Baylo, prior to his release back into the wild, with House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Representative Josie Tomkow. 

On December 16, 2021, Baylo the manatee went back to life in the wild. He was rescued earlier this year after suffering from exposure to red tide and spent some time in rehabilitation at ZooTampa. Noah Valenstein, Former Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary, Representative Josie Tomkow, and Chris Sprowls, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, attended the release at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach.

“Taking part in Baylo’s release today reaffirmed my full support for saving Florida’s state marine mammal, the manatee,” said Speaker Sprowls. “On top of the $8 million for manatee habitat restoration and the $53 million for addressing water quality issues in the Indian River Lagoon we invested last year, the Florida House intends to continue to look at new ways we can assist with ongoing research, rescue and habitat restoration.”

Baylo the manatee is released at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, Florida.
Baylo had suffered from exposure to red tide in October, which can be toxic to manatee, and received treatment from ZooTampa’s Manatee Critical Care Center.

Many thanks to ZooTampa, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Tampa Electric (TECO), and everyone who helped as part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership! Please always remember to report sick and injured manatees to the FWC at 1-888-404-3922. Get more information on reporting sick and injured manatees.

Baylo the manatee is released.
Baylo was released at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach.