SeaWorld, ZooTampa prep to release manatees back into the ocean
Five manatees will be released into their ocean habitats following rehabilitation from SeaWorld, ZooTampa, Columbus Zoo, and Cincinnati Zoo.
Manatees being released in 2025 by SeaWorld, ZooTampa
Nighthawk, Mr. Dobak, Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles have had quite the journey, but they’ll be returning home soon. Where’s home? The ocean. They’re manatees, all found in compromising circumstances and rehabilitated as part of a partnership among SeaWorld and other various animal care facilities in Florida and Ohio, with the ultimate goal of returning the animals to their natural habitats in the ocean.
Photo by Grahm S. Jones / Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
SeaWorld Orlando shared an update on Oct. 15, 2024 about the rescue, rehabilitation, and release progress of the five manatees on behalf of itself; ZooTampa at Lowry Park; Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership; and delivery company DHL.
Tracking the manatees’ journeys
Here’s a timeline of the manatees’ journeys and the role SeaWorld and other facilities had in their care.
Nighthawk and Mr. Dobak
- Jan. 20, 2023: rescued from Charlotte County, Fla. and transferred to SeaWorld Orlando
- October 2023: transferred from SeaWorld Orlando to Columbus Zoo
- Fall 2024: transferred from Columbus Zoo back to SeaWorld Orlando
- Winter or spring 2025: will be released back into the ocean
When they were first rescued, Nighthawk and Mr. Dobak weighed 180 and 174 pounds, respectively. Nighthawk now weighs 678 pounds, with Mr. Dobak weighing in at 497 pounds.
Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles
- Early 2023: rescued from various regions of Florida and transferred to ZooTampa
- October 2023: transferred from ZooTampa to Manatee Springs at Cincinnati Zoo
- Fall 2024: transferred from Manatee Springs at Cincinnati Zoo back to ZooTampa
- Early 2025: will be released back into the ocean
The three rescued manatees gained weight over the course of their rehabilitation: Nolia going from 148 to 715 pounds, Amethyst from 146 to 605 pounds, and Waffles from 185 to 690 pounds.
“After a year of care, the trio has now reached their target weight and are set to return to the waters of Florida!” said Lindsay Garrett, head keeper of the North America department at the Cincinnati Zoo. “Our job as a second-stage rehabilitation facility is to provide plenty of food and top-notch medical care. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them healthy and ready to return to their natural environment.”
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
More manatee transfers from SeaWorld and ZooTampa for future release
As part of the recent transfers, another round of rehabilitation is in motion: manatees Cobble and Clawford just transferred from SeaWorld Orlando to Columbus Zoo; Sabal from ZooTampa to Columbus Zoo; and Lilypad, Orchid, and Vora from SeaWorld Orlando to Cincinnati Zoo. The end goal is for all of them to return to the ocean following their care.
“At our critical care facility at SeaWorld Orlando, we are equipped to care for up to 60 manatees simultaneously, providing a level of support that is rare in the United States,” said Dr. Joseph Gaspard, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld Orlando and vice chair of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. “This facility, along with our ability to collaborate with other zoological institutions, allows us to transfer rehabilitating manatees when stable. By doing so, we ensure that valuable space is always available, maximizing our collective ability to safeguard the future of these remarkable creatures.”
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