ZooTampa Curator Molly Guilfoyle Links Manatee Care to Lightning Loyalism

Molly Guilfoyle, a senior curator at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, distinguishes between two types of panthers. While she cares for the Florida panther in her habitat, her loyalty as a sports fan is exclusively with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Guilfoyle notes that the hockey team offers a mental break from the rigorous demands of her role.

Guilfoyle has worked at the zoo for decades. She describes the work as intense and serious, requiring constant attention to the health of various mammal species. The Lightning serve as a source of fun and laughter for her, her colleagues, and her family. She points to the team's consistent success as a primary reason for her support.

The zoo is currently implementing a $33 million Florida Waters expansion. This project includes a new care space designed specifically for rescued manatees. Many of these animals arrive at the facility with visible injuries caused by boat traffic in the wild. Guilfoyle plays a central role in this development.

Guilfoyle expresses a deep appreciation for the manatees she tends. She cites their ability to survive despite physical trauma as a daily source of motivation. The combination of her professional work with the animals and her personal enjoyment of local hockey defines her current routine at the park.