Five manatees return to Florida waters after rehabilitation
The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), in collaboration with SeaWorld Orlando and six other zoological and manatee care organizations, successfully released five orphaned manatees to Blue Spring State Park in Florida after several years of rehabilitation.
Photo by Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
MRP members worked together to coordinate the release, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which initially rescued the manatees and SeaWorld Orlando, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Brevard Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Save the Manatee Club, who provided treatment for the orphaned calves.
“Over the past several years, we have been called upon to rescue an increasing number of injured, sick, and orphaned manatees,” said MRP President Virginia Edmonds. “We are grateful to our partners for stepping up to the plate to not only rescue animals in need but also commit countless hours to the collective rehabilitation of these animals, which enabled the releases today. But our work doesn’t stop here.”
These Florida manatees are at high risk from natural and human-caused threats, so all five animals were fitted with GPS tracking devices so researchers can monitor their movements and ensure their acclimation to their natural habitat for the next year.
The five Manatees returned to Florida waters are:
- Squirrel – Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando, Miami Seaquarium, and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Lizzie – Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- MaryKate – Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Clank – Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Georgia Aquarium
- TinkTink – Rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Georgia Aquarium
“We pride ourselves on our nearly 50-year legacy to the rescue, rehabilitation, and return of manatees to save these beloved Florida icons who play a critical role in our ecosystem,” said Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando & Vice Chairman of the MRP, Dr. Joseph Gaspard. “While we are thrilled to lead this effort, it would not be made possible without close collaboration with our partners in the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership. This was truly a team effort among the zoological community to ensure the best care was provided to return these manatees back to their natural habitat.”
About the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)
The MRP is a group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities dedicated to advancing manatee conservation through collaborative partnerships. Members participate in the rescue, rehabilitation, release, and post-release monitoring of manatees. The network of institutions includes acute care facilities that provide treatment to orphaned, sick, and injured manatees with the hope of one day returning them to the wild. MRP researchers collect invaluable data through manatee monitoring efforts to improve understanding of manatee biology and health. By partnering cooperatively, MRP members work to promote stewardship and financial support of manatee conservation efforts through public education.
Click here for more information.
