Two manatees named Romeo and Juliet are to be released from the Miami Seaquarium in Florida.
Romeo and Juliet, both in their 60s, have been in captivity at the aquarium since 1956 when they were captured as calves, the Guardian reports.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service told the publication the manatees will be relocated to a sanctuary soon and that it is working with rehabilitation experts to transport them.
The relocation comes after advocacy group UrgentSeas posted drone footage from 13 November of Romeo swimming alone in a dirty and seemingly isolated pool.
Alongside the video on X, formerly called Twitter, UrgentSeas said Romeo “lives in complete isolation in ever deteriorating conditions”. Romeo and Juliet have been kept apart for months, according to the group.
“Manatees are semi-social animals and suffer psychologically when not living in groups or pairs. But Romeo remains alone, all the time,” UrgentSeas said.
Romeo, Juliet and a third younger manatee to be moved with them all have reported health problems. Their transportation is considered “high risk” but necessary.
Phil Demers, a former marine mammal trainer who co-founded UrgentSeas, wrote on X: “It’s expected that Romeo, Juliette and another manatee will be removed from the awful Miami Seaquarium this week after 66 years of captivity.
“This is a high risk move but urgently necessary given their failing heaths and living conditions. Everyone hoping for the best!”
In a recent report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cited the Miami Seaquarium for various violations this year, including inadequate animal care.
The USDA inspection was carried out not long before captive orca Lolita died at the venue just as plans were progressing to release the killer whale to her home waters.
The Miami Seaquarium is owned by the Dolphin Company.
Image courtesy of the Dolphin Company
