ZooTampa

ZooTampa at Lowry Park features 63 acres of lush, natural habitats comprising Florida, Asia, Primates, Australia, and Africa. As a nonprofit cultural organization committed to conservation, the focus is on animals from Florida, such as manatees and Florida panthers, and animals from Florida-like climates, such as elephants and orangutans. ZooTampa houses 1,000 animals in naturalistic outdoor habitats year-round. The organization helps to ensure conservation goals and objectives as well as the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied population of numerous species.(Continued on Schedule O)ZooTampa has contributed to the propagation of species, in conjunction with AZA species survival plans, to help save numerous species from extinction and participates in species conservation efforts locally, nationally, and internationally. ZooTampa manages a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital that is part of its larger medical campus that includes a nutrition center and animal care annex. It is the only zoological or aquarium facility in the nation that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). ZooTampa is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and licensed to operate by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The Zoo is dedicated to serving as an educational resource for the community, and to providing an exciting, nature-based entertainment destination for families, schools, and organizations. Up-close experiences with the living animals at the zoo teach the value of the living world firsthand.ZooTampa is proud to list the following accomplishments in fiscal year 2023:Zoological Operations- ZooTampa at Lowry Park continues to provide leadership aimed at saving manatees: The manatee care and veterinary team at the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Hospital received 34 manatees for rehabilitation, of which 14 were released back into the Florida waters; 12 manatees were transferred to other facilities after ZooTampa provided the critical care needed and are now awaiting the State of Florida to determine release dates; 3 manatees, originally under ZooTampa care, were transferred back in from other facilities to prepare for release; 2 non-releasable manatees were received from another facility for specialized care.- The Manatee Rescue team received the Florida Nature Conservation Award at the Governor's Conference on Tourism in September 2023. This prestigious award, which is presented by the Florida Association of Zoos & Aquariums (FAZA), is in recognition of the team's ongoing efforts in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of manatees. - Notable births: Komodo Dragon (6), Lory (9), Coconut Lorikeet (4), Red Wolf (2), Bay duiker (1), Dwarf Seahorse (8), Nyala (1) Rat Snake (3).- Notable acquisitions: Cownose ray (12), Canebrake Rattlesnake (1), Banded Sunfish (15), North Sulawesi Babirusa (1), Eastern Indigo Snake (2), Impala (1), Metallic Starling (2), Mosquitofish (50), Roseate Spoonbill (1), Southern Stingray (4), Tawny Frogmouth (1).- Number of animals at the zoo during fiscal year 2023 = 1,300 Conservation & Education- Partnerships with external conservation projects, including AZA's Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, International Rhino Foundation, International Elephant Foundation, Okapi Conservation Project, Coastal Plains Institute Striped Newt, Species 360, Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUNC), South African Conservation Foundation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Gharial Ecology Project, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, fStop Foundation, International Iguana Foundation, Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation, and Macaw Recovery Network. - In partnership with the Tampa Bay Estuary, ZooTampa participated in the Manatee Stranding Educational outreach programs that took place with Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, Champions for Children, Eco-Fest, and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, reaching thousands of school-aged children. - Implemented numerous educational initiatives to communicate our mission through Zoo School, mission-related content, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access and pathways through the nature outreach program. - In partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, ZooTampa participated in the iSPY Tampa Bay Community Access program, reaching thousands of caregivers, teachers, and students in Hillsborough County. - Provided 8,000 community access tickets disseminated to under-resourced program partners in Tampa Bay. - Worked with MacDonald Training Center Project SEARCH program, a 9-month mentorship program for people transitioning from day programs to work. All nine interns graduated and are employed in the community. - Worked with under-resource students at the Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus, on optimizing DNA isolation methods on samples of lowland anoa.- In partnership with Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garten, we participate in the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science (AIRS) - A Model for Saving Species with Science ex situ. - Participated in over 20 research projects with various student partners on understanding how learning impacts action to care for wildlife. - In partnership with USF, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, we created early morning sensory-friendly hours and resources. - Established partnerships with USF Early Learning and Program Wide Positive Behavior Supports, Eckerd College-Behavior and Research, Tampa General Hospital, Florida Southern-Research Program. - In partnership with the Hillsborough County School District, ZooTampa participated in STEM Family Nights and Sea Stars and STEM Cafe, both career mentoring programs for girls interested in STEM. Additional local, national, and global involvement and achievements: - Aired fourth season of NatGeo Wild's Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa- ZooTampa at Lowry Park and the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center were awarded USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023 for Best Zoo and Best Zoo Exhibit.- Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award 2023, ranking the Zoo among the top 10% of attractions worldwide.