ORLANDO, Fla. — Five manatees, after years of rehabilitation through various zoos and agencies, were released back into Florida waters Wednesday, according to a press release from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

What You Need To Know

  • Five manatees, after years of rehabilitation through various zoos and agencies, were released back into Florida waters Wednesday

  • Coordinating the rehabilitation and release was the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, which represents various private and public entities, both state and federal

  • The manatees, which had been rescued between 2020 and 2021, were released to Blue Spring State Park in the sunshine state

  • The rehabilitation for these creatures, also known as sea cows, involved numerous organizations: SeaWorld Orlando, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Brevard Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Save the Manatee Club

Coordinating the rehabilitation and release was the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, which represents various private and public entities, both state and federal.

The manatees, which had been rescued between 2020 and 2021, were released to Blue Spring State Park in the sunshine state, the release states.

The rehabilitation for these creatures, also known as sea cows, involved numerous organizations: SeaWorld Orlando, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Brevard Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Save the Manatee Club.

“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, in the 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. But our work doesn’t stop here.”

The releases note that the returned manatees have GPS devices for monitoring in the wild waters. Manatees, the release continues, are currently at risk in Florida from threats, both natural and those caused by humans.

Joseph Gaspard, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld Orlando & Vice Chairman of the MRP, said they have pride in the 50-year legacy of manatee rescue, rehabilitation and return.

"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,” Gaspard said. “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."

The five manatees released were listed as follows:

  • Squirrel, 960 pounds
  • Lizzie, 855 pounds
  • MaryKate, 815 pounds
  • Clank, 725 pounds
  • TinkTink, 840 pounds

The Columbus Zoo’s role in the rehabilitation process was to give the creatures a home until they could be released back into the wild, the release states.

“Words cannot describe the immense joy and hope we feel as we help these manatees back into their native waters after they have been in our care at the Columbus Zoo,” said Becky Ellsworth, curator of the zoo’s Shores & Aquarium region, in the release. “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.