Shuttlelift SCD09 Crane Aids ZooTampa in Manatee Rehabilitation Efforts

Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Florida manatee faces threats from a loss of habitat, toxins, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with boats and disturbance by swimmers and divers. At ZooTampa, however, a highly successful manatee care and rehabilitation program is helping the marine mammals survive and prosper.

At the zoo’s David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center, Florida manatees are getting a much-needed lift from a Shuttlelift SCD09 carrydeck crane, which is used to provide crucial services. ZooTampa purchased the SCD09 to replace an older 8.5-ton Shuttlelift 3330E crane that served the program’s staff for over 20 years.

“We need to weigh the animals regularly to monitor whether they’re gaining enough weight,” related Molly Lippincott, curator of Florida manatees at ZooTampa. “On average, manatees weigh about 1,500 pounds, and can move quickly when they want, so it’s important that we do what’s best for them. We would not be able to function without this crane.”

On average, ZooTampa admits 30 to 35 manatees each year. With its staff on call 24/7 to receive stricken animals, the Shuttlelift SCD09 is of vital importance for ensuring timely treatment, explained Lisa Dijenno, animal care supervisor at the zoo. For example, the crane is used to carefully handle stretchers containing the vulnerable creatures whenever they need medical care and rehabilitation.

“Without the crane, we wouldn’t be able to get the manatees out of the transport truck into their pool when they first arrive, or from there into the medical facility,” Dijenno said. “The pools are elevated above the ground, so we obviously can’t lift them by hand. Then, when they’re ready for release, we need the crane to get them from the pool into the transport truck.”

Given the small number of crane operators who switch to a career in zookeeping, several of the ZooTampa staff have received training and National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certification. “We learned a lot with the 3330E over the years, but Sims Crane, our local Shuttlelift dealer, has made sure that we know everything about properly operating the crane,” Dijenno said.

“But a lot of what we do isn’t really something that can be taught,” added Lippincott. “So, we’ve spent a lot of time working to figure out the best way to handle a manatee to ensure its well-being. Having a wild animal on the front of a crane can be dangerous, so we usually meet as a team beforehand to discuss how we’re going to move them, and what our backup plan will be if it goes wrong.”

With so much at stake, and with manatees in different stages of rehabilitation at the ZooTampa facility, the easy operation of the SCD09 — enabled by features such as the Rated Capacity Limiter (RCL) system, automotive-style dash panel and hydraulic joystick control — is welcomed by the ZooTampa staff. The Shuttlelift’s RCL provides an especially useful function by displaying the calculated load on its full-color, graphical display.

The facility’s limited space meant maneuverability was also a key factor in ZooTampa’s purchasing decision. The Shuttlelift SCD09 has a compact frame measuring 19 feet 7 inches long by 7 feet 3 inches wide. The crane’s dimensions, multiple steering modes (front, four-wheel coordinated and four-wheel crab steer with electronic alignment) and two-position outriggers make it easy to maneuver in tight quarters at the facility.

“This crane is the perfect size for our needs,” Dijenno said. “It’s easy to maneuver around the small area that we have, making sure we can quickly and efficiently move manatees between the truck and the pool. It’s also quiet, which is helpful because it doesn’t stress the animals.”

The Shuttlelift SCD09 was the obvious choice for ZooTampa, according to Jerome Willis, new equipment sales manager at Sims Crane & Equipment Co., Florida’s largest mobile crane rental provider. The carrydeck model features a 33.2-foot, three-section full power main boom with a three-position pivoting boom nose, and has a deck carrying capacity of 14,000 pounds.

“Over 20 years ago, we started ZooTampa with an 8.5-ton model and they kept it going, so it was clearly doing something right,” Willis said. “Last year, they decided that they needed a new machine, so I came out to take another look at the location with Jaime Vaccaro, the animal care supervisor, and when she heard about the improvements Manitowoc made to the SCD09, the deal was done the same night.”

“One option that ZooTampa was keen to take advantage of was the dual-fuel GM 3.0L EFI gasoline/LP engine on the SCD09, which creates a more pleasant environment for wildlife,” added Tim Moffitt, regional business manager at Manitowoc. “There’s also an optional 12-foot swingaway jib, although the 33-foot three-section main boom more than meets the zoo’s lifting needs. And with the exclusive three-position pivoting boom nose, every lift can be made in a smooth, controllable way, ensuring utmost care for the manatees.”

“This crane has worked out incredibly well for us,” Dijenno said. “We never know what’s going to happen on any given day, so we must be prepared to jump into the crane at any moment. The great thing about the Shuttlelift is because it’s so easy to use, we’ve always been successful in moving the manatees properly and safely.”

The manatee is a creature of legend as much as fact. The belief in mermaids may have been influenced by sightings of manatees when sailors and coastal inhabitants mistook the marine mammals for mermaids because of their physical characteristics and the way they move in water.

At ZooTampa, however, manatees are real creatures in need of care. More than 500 seriously injured, sick or orphaned manatees have been helped at the facility, and more than 280 have been returned to the wild. Among them have been a rescued 43-pound newborn calf while some of the largest past patients have weighed upwards of 2,500 pounds.

Regardless of their size and condition, the safe handling and transport of manatees at ZooTampa takes the highest priority, something that is being accomplished every day with a Shuttlelift carrydeck crane.