Five manatees rescued as orphaned calves between 2020 and 2021 have finally returned home to Florida waters after a multi-year rehabilitation effort. The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), a collaborative group of organizations, celebrated the successful release yesterday at Blue Spring State Park.
Years of Care and Collaboration:
- Several organizations, including SeaWorld Orlando, Columbus Zoo, Brevard Zoo, and others, worked together to provide expert care and treatment to the manatees.
- This complex operation took years of dedication and collaboration.
Monitoring and Future Challenges:
- Each released manatee has a GPS tracker enabling researchers to monitor their adaptation to their natural habitat.
- Florida manatees face ongoing threats, both natural and human-caused.
Quotes from Key Partners:
- Virginia Edmonds, President of MRP: “We are grateful to our partners for their commitment to this collective effort. But our work doesn’t stop here.”
- Dr. Joseph Gaspard, SeaWorld Orlando: “This was truly a team effort among the zoological community to ensure the best care was provided.”
- Becky Ellsworth, Columbus Zoo: “Words cannot describe the immense joy and hope we feel as we help these manatees back into their native waters.”
Columbus Zoo’s Involvement:
- The Columbus Zoo was one of three facilities outside Florida to care for these manatees during their rehabilitation.
- Ellsworth highlights the zoo’s commitment to manatee conservation and the importance of collaboration.
Manatees that were released back to Florida waters
| Manatee | Rescued | Today |
| Squirrel Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando, Miami Seaquarium and Columbus Zoo and AquariumTransported by Ideal Lease | May 2020 in Tavernier, Fla.Weight when found: 66 pounds Weight when moved to Columbus Zoo: 116 pounds | Weight: 960 pounds |
| LizzieRehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Columbus Zoo and AquariumTransported by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | July 2020 in Palm Coast, Fla. Weight: 63 pounds | Weight: 855 pounds |
| MaryKate Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Columbus Zoo and AquariumTransported by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Found swimming alone in January 2021 in Blue Spring State Park, Fla. Weight: 107 pounds | Weight: 815 pounds |
| ClankRehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Georgia AquariumTransported by SeaWorld | December 2021 in Port St. John, Fla.Weight: 128 pounds | Weight: 725 pounds |
| TinkTinkRehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Georgia AquariumTransported by SeaWorld | December 2021 in Blue Spring State Park, Fla.Weight: 124 pounds | Weight: 840 pounds |
