Oldest manatee in captivity ever

The oldest manatee ever is Romeo (USA, born c. 1955), a West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) who is aged at least 71 years old in 2026 and resides at the Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA. His status was confirmed on 27 January 2026.

While it isn’t unheard of for manatees to live into their 60s, their more typical lifespan (particularly in the wild where they face threats such as habitat destruction, pollution and injuries/fatalities caused by watercraft) is between 30 and 40 years old.

Romeo was born in the wild so his precise date of birth is unknown, but when he was found in the Miami area in 1957 he was described as a subadult, which would put him in the region of two to five years old. At the most conservative end of the spectrum, that means he is at least 71 in 2026 and more likely in his mid-70s. When he came under human care for educational display (a practice that is no longer permitted), Romeo (then known as Big Bull) went to live at the Miami Seaquarium, where he remained until late 2023. Overseen by the US Fish and Wildlife Services, he was temporarily relocated to Zoo Tampa before moving (for what is intended to be the last time) to the Gulfarium in June 2025.

Romeo has been described as a laidback gentle giant. He loves grazing along the lettuce forage feeders that rest on the bottom of the habitat. He can almost always be found napping promptly at 2 p.m. near his favourite rock, often snuggled up with his best buddy manatee, Lil Joe. His favourite foods are romaine lettuce, apples and small pieces of sweet potato.

The year after his arrival at the Miami Seaquarium in 1957, a female manatee (first called Mabel) was introduced to the facility and was renamed Juliet. Though it would take quite a few years to develop the optimum conditions, Romeo and Juliet would go on to produce nine offspring together; their first – Lorelei, born on 3 May 1975 – is believed to be the first manatee conceived and born while in human care. Juliet also reached an impressive age, certainly in excess of 65 years old when she passed away in April 2024 at Zoo Tampa.

Prior to this, the oldest manatee in human care ever was Snooty (USA, b. 21 July 1948), aged 69 years 2 days when he passed away on 23 July 2017. Snooty lived at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida, USA.