20 Rehab Manatees Return to Florida Water
Greetings to you! Fantastic news as 20 rehabilitated manatees have been returned to their native Florida waters via several years of care with the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). The MRP is a cooperative group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities that work together to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and monitor sick and injured manatees.
Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Shores and Aquarium region at Columbus Zoo said, “What’s special about the MRP is the way it brings organizations together through a coordinated network of partners, extending the reach of manatee conservation far beyond Florida. Caring for manatees here in Ohio also provides us with the opportunity to connect millions of guests with their story, helping people understand why manatees matter and what it takes from all of us to protect them. It’s incredibly rewarding to know our role helps support their journey back home and that their story can inspire action everywhere.”
“Most of the released manatees were originally rescued as small orphans or young animals affected by cold stress syndrome between 2022 and 2025 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and MRP.”
Lindsay Garrett, Manatee Springs keeper at the Cincinnati Zoo said, “These releases are the reason we do what we do. In the year that manatees Vora, Lilypad, and Orchid were here, they each gained more than 250 pounds, with Orchid gaining almost 400 pounds. Our job is to get them to a releasable weight, and that is what we did. The manatees ate approximately 60,240 lbs. of lettuce during their stay at the Cincinnati Zoo, and we are so excited to see them start the next chapter of their lives swimming in their native Florida waters.”
The manatees were released at “warm water sites in Florida, including Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Crystal River, Warm Mineral Springs, and the TECO Apollo Beach power plant, where wild manatees congregate this time of year. Under the terms of their contract for services with the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) in Clearwater, Fla., will tag and monitor MRP-sponsored manatees following their release.”
The MRP reminds those who may see a tagged manatee from their dock or while boating “not to approach, follow, or interact with these animals, and not to tamper with the tracking gear. Young manatees with little experience in the wild must learn critical survival skills, including where to find warm water during winter, as well as food and shelter.”
Monica Ross, Director of Manatee Research and Conservation at CMARI said, “The gear we deploy on manatees allows CMARI to monitor a manatee’s movement and behavior. When an animal loses their tracking gear, we have no way to provide assistance or rescue needs if they become sick or are not adapting back into the wild. Their monitoring gear is their lifeline during this vital phase of recovery.”
“The manatee releases come at a critical time for the species, as Florida manatees face ongoing natural and human-caused threats, underscoring the importance of partnership efforts that extend beyond Florida.”
Tiffany Burns, Senior Director of Animal Programs at Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park said, “Manatees are an iconic species in Florida, and their conservation affects us all. As these sea cows continue to face significant threats to their survival, it is more important than ever that we dedicate our time, energy, and resources to securing their future. Providing critical care to this incredible species benefits our state’s ecosystem. We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of MRP member organizations. Their dedication enables us to rescue, rehabilitate, and safely return manatees to Florida waters, ensuring that these gentle giants can thrive for generations to come.”
To learn more about the endangered Florida manatee, below is an awesome award-winning Kobee Manatee® book for children…
Synopsis: In late September, Kobee Manatee® is on a twelve-hundred-mile mission to get back home to Florida from Cape Cod, Massachusetts before the impending cold threatens his life. On his southbound journey, he meets two new friends: Tess the seahorse, who loves to learn, and Pablo the hermit crab, who is in search for a new shell. Will Kobee and his friends make it to Florida in time? Children learn all about manatees and their habitat!
We Have Excellent Reviews for Kobee Manatee!
“Children can learn a great deal about manatees and their habitat by reading about Kobee and his friends and their traveling adventure.” – Dr. Katie Tripp, Director of Science and Conservation, Save the Manatee Club
“This luxuriously illustrated, infectiously charming story makes us want to save the manatee and have a plush version to hug.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews
“A swimmingly fun, educational trip sure to be enjoyed by young friends of the manatee.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.” – Mom’s Choice Awards
If you are in Florida and you see a sick or injured manatee, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 1-888-404-FWCC. They are the folks who are responsible for rescuing us in Florida.
Here’s the Save the Manatee Club link to learn more about manatees …
https://www.savethemanatee.org
~ Robert Scott Thayer
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