Ep 7. Manatee Rescue Squad

In the 7th episode of the 3rd season of Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa, titled "Manatee Rescue Squad," viewers get an inside look at the efforts that the Tampa Zoo Animal Hospital team make to rescue and rehome manatees who have been injured or stranded.

The episode opens with a call to the zoo hospital from an individual who has spotted a sick manatee in the waters nearby. We see the staff mobilize quickly to respond to the call, loading up their rescue vessel with all the necessary equipment and medicine for treating manatees in distress.

Once they reach the location where the manatee has been spotted, the team sets to work assessing the animal's condition. They take readings of its vital signs and check for any injuries or illnesses that might be causing it distress. Using their expertise, and with some help from a nearby veterinary hospital, the team is able to diagnose and treat the manatee's illness.

With the manatee stabilized, the team has to carefully transport it back to the zoo hospital for further treatment and observation. This process is complicated, as manatees are large, heavy creatures who require a lot of support and care during transport. We watch as the team works together to lift the manatee out of the water and onto a stretcher, then onto their vessel to head back to the zoo.

Once the manatee is safely back at the hospital, the team begins a longer process of rehabilitation and recovery. They need to monitor the manatee's illness, ensure it is eating and rehydrating properly, and provide specialized care to help it heal as fully and quickly as possible. We see how dedicated the hospital staff is to their work, spending hours each day with the manatee, administering medication and monitoring its progress.

As the weeks pass, the manatee slowly recovers, and the team's hard work is rewarded when they are finally able to release it back into the wild. We watch as the manatee is carefully lifted back into the water, where it swims off into the distance with newfound strength and vitality.

Throughout the episode, we also get glimpses into the daily life of the zoo hospital staff. We meet other animals who are in their care, including a baby rhinoceros who requires specialized attention and a rare bird undergoing surgery. We see the close bond that the staff develops with each of these creatures, working tirelessly to provide them with the best possible care and attention.

Overall, "Manatee Rescue Squad" offers a fascinating in-depth look at the tireless work that goes into rescuing and rehabilitating animals in distress. It showcases the expertise and compassion of the Tampa Zoo Animal Hospital team, and underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect creatures like the manatee.