ZooTampa announced several changes today in the way it cares for manatees.
The zoo is one of just four facilities licensed by the federal government for the critical care of manatees and the only facility with that license on the west coast of Florida, but right now that license is under review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Questions about the care of injured manatee by Dr. Ray Ball were raised following several complaints.
Among the complaints noted in a letter from the Fish and Wildlife Service were that Dr. Ball released an underweight manatee with open wounds and that he performed amputations that resulted in the bone of the animal protruding.
ZooTampa says they’ve completed an extensive internal investigation and say Dr. Ball’s actions did not result in the deaths of any manatees, but that changes needed to be made.
ZooTampa says Dr. Ball will be allowed to return to work, but he will no longer be caring for the manatees.
Other changes include improvements to communication between the head veterinarian and staff at the zoo and implementing changes to an animal care review board.
The zoo recently completed a three million dollar enhancement to their manatee care center, but the facility is not opening until the review of the license is completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“We are well aware that there’s other institutions that are caring for manatee that are over their capacities and we would like to be able to contribute towards that,” said zoo CEO Joe Couceiro.