Rehabilitated manatees flown from Ohio to Florida for release into wild

Bailey Gallion, Columbus Dispatch
·3 min read
Eight manatees were transported to Florida from Ohio for their release back into the wild following rehabilitation at the Columbus and Cincinatti zoos.
Eight manatees were transported to Florida from Ohio for their release back into the wild following rehabilitation at the Columbus and Cincinatti zoos.

Eight manatees that underwent rehabilitation returned to Florida from Ohio for their release back into the wild.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and SeaWorld Orlando partnered to rehabilitate the eight orphaned manatees, according to a Columbus Zoo press release. The manatees flew over 1,000 miles on their return to Florida where they will undergo additional rehabilitation before their return to the water.

The journey required custom containers and a specially scheduled DHL cargo plane. The containers held 8-inch-thick foam beds and wool and space blankets to keep the animals warm. Staff sprayed the manatees with a mist of water to keep them moist and monitored their body temperatures using laser thermometers. A Cincinnati Zoo veterinarian accompanied the animals and monitored their conditions during the flight.

“Moving manatees is an extremely complex process that involves significant planning and logistics to ensure that each specific need is met throughout the journey,” said Cain Moodie, SVP Network Operations, DHL Express Americas. “We are thrilled to play a key role in this initiative to support endangered manatees in the wild, leveraging our team’s expertise to ensure each animal is transported as quickly and safely as possible.”

Five orphaned manatees went to Seaworld Orlando from the Columbus Zoo. Officials took three from the Cincinatti Zoo to ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Those three will be released into the Crystal River in Citrus County, Florida in February.

The return flight included five additional manatees brought to Ohio.

The manatees transported to Florida weighed a total of almost 6,000 pounds. The largest manatee, Soleil, weighs nearly 1,000 pounds. The animal weighed just 53 pounds upon rescue and required immediate treatment for an infected umbilical cord.

The smallest, Nolia, weighs 265 pounds and was rescued in Citrus County, Florida after suffering from cold stress. Nolia was among the five sent to Ohio for further rehabilitation.

The Cincinnati Zoo returned a total of 26 manatees to Florida. The Columbus Zoo returned 37. The zoos serve as second-stage rehabilitation facilities for manatees.

“As a second-stage rehab facility, we give manatees individual care for several months, including providing plenty of food and veterinary care, until they’re big and strong enough to go home,” Cincinnati Zoo curator of mammals Kim Scott said. “We may be far from Florida waters, but we love caring for these remarkable animals.”

Florida manatees are at risk due to disappearing sea grass, red tide, cold stress, disease, boat strikes and other threats, according to the press release.

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with our dedicated colleagues to help make a difference in the lives of these amazing animals,” Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Shores and Aquarium region of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, said. “While it can be a bit bittersweet to see the manatees return to Florida since they all hold a special place in our hearts, it is also a proud moment for us because we know their rehabilitation has been successful.”

bagallion@gannett.com

@baileygallion

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Manatees rehabilitated in Ohio returned to Florida by plane