Columbus Zoo manatees released back into Florida waters
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — Three orphaned manatees who called the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium home have been released back into Florida waters.
The Columbus Zoo’s manatees — Squirrel, Lizzie and MaryKate — were three of five released on Wednesday to Blue Spring State Park in Florida after a years’ long journey of rehabilitation. The manatees had been rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2020 and 2021 before the Columbus Zoo provided treatment for several years to fully rehabilitate the orphaned calves.
Squirrel was rescued in May of 2020 in Tavernier, Florida, while Lizzie was found in July of 2020 in Palm Coast and MaryKate was discovered swimming alone in January of 2021 in Blue Spring State Park.
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The Columbus Zoo is one of only three facilities, along with the Georgia Aquarium and Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, outside of Florida that cares for manatees. The zoo is a second stage rehabilitation facility that provides a temporary home for manatees until they are ready for release back to the wild.
“We realize there is still more work to do and more manatees to help, and we know that along with our partners through the MRP and the guests who connect with these manatees’ inspiring stories, together we are making a positive difference,” said Becky Ellsworth, curator of the zoo’s shores and aquarium region, in a release.
(Courtesy Photo/Amanda Carberry for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) (Courtesy Photo/Amanda Carberry for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) (Courtesy Photo/Amanda Carberry for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) (Courtesy Photo/Amanda Carberry for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) (Courtesy Photo/Amanda Carberry for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) (Courtesy Photo/Amanda Carberry for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
Every manatee returned Wednesday was fitted with a GPS tracking device that will allow researchers the ability to monitor their movements and ensure their acclimation to their natural habitat for the next year. These releases come at a critical time for the species as Florida manatees are at high risk from natural and human-caused threats.
“Over the past several years, we have been called upon to rescue an increasing number of injured, sick, and orphaned manatees,” said Virginia Edmonds, president of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, who facilitated Wednesday’s release. “We are grateful to our partners for stepping up to the plate to not only rescue animals in need, but to commit countless hours to the collective rehabilitation of these animals, which enabled the releases today.”
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