Five Manatees Successfully Rehabilitated at Two Ohio Zoos Flown Back to Florida Facilities to Prepare for Return to Home Waters
Five rehabilitated manatees were flown from Ohio to Florida, marking a significant conservation achievement. The manatees, rescued as orphaned calves in 2023, were cared for by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and SeaWorld Orlando. Two males, Nighthawk and Mr. Dobak, were transferred from Columbus Zoo to SeaWorld Orlando, while three females, Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles, were moved from Cincinnati Zoo to ZooTampa.
The manatees were transported in custom-built containers via a DHL Express cargo plane. They will complete their final rehabilitation stages before being released into their home waters. Simultaneously, six young manatees were flown to Ohio for continued rehabilitation. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) to protect and conserve this threatened species.
Cinque manatee riabilitati sono stati trasportati in aereo dall'Ohio alla Florida, segnando un importante traguardo per la conservazione. I manatee, salvati come vitelli orfani nel 2023, sono stati accuditi dal Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park e SeaWorld Orlando. Due maschi, Nighthawk e Mr. Dobak, sono stati trasferiti dallo Columbus Zoo a SeaWorld Orlando, mentre tre femmine, Nolia, Amethyst e Waffles, sono state spostate dal Cincinnati Zoo a ZooTampa.
I manatee sono stati trasportati in contenitori costruiti su misura tramite un aereo cargo DHL Express. Completeranno le loro fasi finali di riabilitazione prima di essere rilasciati nelle acque natali. Allo stesso tempo, sei giovani manatee sono stati trasportati in Ohio per una riabilitazione continuativa. Questa operazione mette in evidenza gli sforzi continui del Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) per proteggere e conservare questa specie minacciata.
Cinco manatíes rehabilitados fueron transportados en avión de Ohio a Florida, marcando un logro significativo en conservación. Los manatíes, rescatados como terneros huérfanos en 2023, fueron cuidados por el Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park y SeaWorld Orlando. Dos machos, Nighthawk y Mr. Dobak, fueron transferidos del Columbus Zoo a SeaWorld Orlando, mientras que tres hembras, Nolia, Amethyst y Waffles, fueron movidas del Cincinnati Zoo a ZooTampa.
Los manatíes fueron transportados en contenedores hechos a medida a través de un avión de carga DHL Express. Completarán sus etapas finales de rehabilitación antes de ser liberados en sus aguas nativas. Al mismo tiempo, seis manatíes jóvenes fueron enviados a Ohio para continuar su rehabilitación. Esta operación destaca los esfuerzos continuos del Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) para proteger y conservar esta especie amenazada.
다섯 마리의 재활된 바다소가 오하이오에서 플로리다로 비행기를 타고 옮겨져 중요한 보존 성과를 이루었습니다. 이 바다소들은 2023년에 고아 송아지로 구조되었고, 콜럼버스 동물원 및 수족관, 신시내티 동물원 및 식물원, 저택파크 동물원, 씨월드 올랜도에서 보살펴졌습니다. 두 마리 수컷, 나이팅게일과 미스터 도박은 콜럼버스 동물원에서 씨월드 올랜도로 이송되었고, 세 마리 암컷, 놀리아, 아메시스트, 그리고 와플스는 신시내티 동물원에서 저택파크 동물원으로 이동했습니다.
바다소들은 DHL 익스프레스 화물기를 통해 맞춤형 컨테이너에 담겨 운송되었습니다. 그들은 고향의 바다로 방류되기 전 마지막 재활 단계를 완료할 것입니다. 동시에, 여섯 마리의 젊은 바다소가 계속된 재활을 위해 오하이오로 이송되었습니다. 이 작전은 맨티 구출 및 재활 파트너십(MRP)의 종합적인 노력의 중요성을 강조하며, 위협받는 이 종을 보호하고 보존하기 위해 진행되고 있습니다.
Cinq lamantins réhabilités ont été transportés par avion de l'Ohio vers la Floride, marquant un accomplissement significatif en matière de conservation. Les lamantins, sauvés en tant que veaux orphelins en 2023, ont été soignés par le Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park et SeaWorld Orlando. Deux mâles, Nighthawk et Mr. Dobak, ont été transférés du Columbus Zoo à SeaWorld Orlando, tandis que trois femelles, Nolia, Amethyst et Waffles, ont été déplacées du Cincinnati Zoo à ZooTampa.
Les lamantins ont été transportés dans des conteneurs sur mesure par un avion-cargo DHL Express. Ils termineront leurs dernières étapes de réhabilitation avant d'être relâchés dans leurs eaux d'origine. En même temps, six jeunes lamantins ont été envoyés en Ohio pour poursuivre leur réhabilitation. Cette opération met en lumière les efforts continus du Partenariat pour le sauvetage et la réhabilitation des lamantins (MRP) pour protéger et conserver cette espèce menacée.
Fünf rehabilitierte Manatees wurden von Ohio nach Florida geflogen, was einen bedeutenden Erfolg im Bereich Naturschutz darstellt. Die Manatees, die 2023 als verwaiste Kälber gerettet wurden, wurden vom Columbus Zoo und Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa im Lowry Park und SeaWorld Orlando betreut. Zwei Männchen, Nighthawk und Mr. Dobak, wurden vom Columbus Zoo nach SeaWorld Orlando transferiert, während drei Weibchen, Nolia, Amethyst und Waffles, vom Cincinnati Zoo nach ZooTampa verlegt wurden.
Die Manatees wurden in maßgeschneiderten Containern mit einem DHL Express Frachtflugzeug transportiert. Sie werden ihre letzten Rehabilitationstadien absolvieren, bevor sie in ihre Heimatgewässer entlassen werden. Gleichzeitig wurden sechs junge Manatees nach Ohio geflogen, um ihre Rehabilitation fortzusetzen. Diese Operation hebt die fortlaufenden Bemühungen der Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) hervor, diese bedrohte Art zu schützen und zu erhalten.
- Five manatees successfully rehabilitated and transferred back to Florida facilities
- Collaboration between multiple zoological institutions for manatee conservation
- SeaWorld Orlando's critical care facility can care for up to 60 manatees simultaneously
- Columbus Zoo has returned 39 manatees to Florida, Cincinnati Zoo has returned 27
- ZooTampa has treated more than 500 manatees, SeaWorld Orlando has helped rescue and rehabilitate over 990
- Florida manatees face ongoing threats from natural and human-caused factors
- Critical care facilities for manatees are operating close to capacity
Insights
This manatee rehabilitation and transfer effort represents a significant milestone in marine conservation. The successful rehabilitation of five manatees and their return to Florida facilities demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between zoological institutions. Key points include:
- The involvement of multiple institutions (Columbus Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, ZooTampa and SeaWorld Orlando) highlights the importance of partnerships in conservation.
- The growth in weight of the rehabilitated manatees (e.g., Nighthawk from 180 to 678 pounds) indicates successful care and feeding programs.
- The use of specialized transport methods, including custom-built containers and monitored flights, ensures the safety and well-being of the animals during transfer.
- The ongoing cycle of rehabilitation, with six new manatees sent to Ohio facilities, underscores the continuous nature of conservation efforts.
While this news is positive for manatee conservation, it also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the species, including habitat loss, red tide and human-related threats. The need for such extensive rehabilitation efforts indicates the persistent pressures on manatee populations in their natural habitats.
The success of this manatee rehabilitation program is noteworthy for several reasons:
- It demonstrates the critical role of second-stage rehabilitation facilities in managing manatee populations. These facilities provide essential care and space, allowing critical care centers in Florida to focus on new rescues.
- The weight gain achieved by the rehabilitated manatees (e.g., Nolia from 148 to 715 pounds) is impressive and important for their survival upon release.
- The program's success rate is significant, with Columbus Zoo returning 39 manatees and Cincinnati Zoo returning 27 to date.
- The collaborative nature of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership showcases how diverse organizations can work together effectively for wildlife conservation.
This multi-institutional approach to manatee rehabilitation serves as a model for other endangered species recovery programs. It highlights the importance of long-term commitment and specialized care in wildlife conservation efforts.
In an intricate operation, the manatees were placed in custom-built containers to help them travel safely and then driven to the
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and SeaWorld Orlando have partnered for several years to rehabilitate these five orphans.
"For nearly five decades, we have been privileged to contribute to the conservation of manatees, a species that is essential to the health of our aquatic ecosystems," explained Dr. Joseph Gaspard, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando and Vice Chair of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership. "Our work, with the remarkable partners of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, has allowed us to play a key role in the rescue, rehabilitation, and return of these incredible animals that hold a special place in
Two male orphaned manatees were transferred from the Columbus Zoo to SeaWorld Orlando. Both were initially rescued as orphaned calves from
Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles, all females, left Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and headed back to ZooTampa's David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. The trio was rescued in January and February 2023 and transported for treatment to ZooTampa, which is home to the largest non-profit critical care center in
All of the manatees were moved prior to the arrival of Hurricane Milton and arrived safely at their planned destinations.
"After a year of care, the trio has now reached their target weight and are set to return to the waters of
"As manatees continue to face hardships and critical care facilities operate close to capacity, these transfers are extremely important to make room for critically injured, ill and orphaned manatees," said Tiffany Burns, ZooTampa's senior director of animal programs and president of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. "We are grateful to our partners in
DHL Express transported the manatees in custom-built, state-of-the art containers, accompanied by a Columbus Zoo Animal Care curator, who monitored the manatees' condition throughout the flight.
The containers were secured on palettes attached to the floor of the plane for stability. The manatees rested on a comfortable, 8-inch-thick bed of foam. They were covered in wool and space blankets to maintain a healthy body temperature and constantly monitored during the flight by care specialists using laser thermometers. To keep their bodies moist, the animals were misted with water under their blankets throughout the flight.
"Ensuring the safe transport of these manatees is a highly complex process that requires meticulous planning and logistics to prioritize their safety and comfort throughout the journey," said Laurice Bancroft, SVP Network Operations, DHL Express Americas. "We are proud to play a key role in supporting the conservation of endangered manatees, leveraging our team's expertise to contribute to these crucial rescue and rehabilitation efforts."
Yet, even as these manatees prepare to return to their native waters, the conservation work to save manatees remains ongoing and crucial. Accompanied by a Columbus Zoo veterinarian and Cincinnati Zoo Animal Care team member, six young manatees traveled on the return flight back to
The Columbus Zoo received three orphaned manatees—two females and one male. Upon their arrival at the Zoo's Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, they joined long-term resident and fan favorite, Stubby. Due to Stubby's extensive injuries from a boat strike, she is considered to be a conditionally non-releasable animal. Her condition is evaluated every five years to determine if she is ready or not to return to
"In partnership with SeaWorld Orlando, ZooTampa, Cincinnati Zoo, and others, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is honored to join forces through the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)," said Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Columbus Zoo's Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. "Together, we provide expert care and rehabilitation for these remarkable animals, tackling challenges in their natural habitats. This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to wildlife conservation but also enriches guest education, empowering them to act for manatees and their ocean environments. By pooling our expertise and resources, we ignite a conservation movement, driving tangible results. As active MRP members, we're looking forward to expanding our impact, safeguarding manatees and their aquatic homes for future generations."
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden also welcomed three new manatees, Lilypad,
The manatees were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), a cooperative group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities who work together to monitor the health and survival of manatees.
As part of the MRP, ZooTampa and SeaWorld Orlando provide critical care, including urgent veterinary treatment, to injured manatees in
Including these manatees who recently left
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Manatees that were transferred back to
Rescued | This Weekend (to SeaWorld) | |
Mr. Dobak | January 20, 2023 | Weight: 497 pounds |
Nighthawk | January 20, 2023 | Weight: 678 pounds |
Rescued | Today (to ZooTampa) | |
Nolia | January 10, 2023 | Weight: 715 |
Waffles | January 27, 2023 | Weight: 690 |
Amethyst | February 21, 2023 | Weight: 605 |
Manatees sent back to
Rescued | Today (to Columbus Zoo) | ||
Cobble (male) | February 15, 2024 | Weight: 360 pounds | |
Clawford (female) | August 2, 2023 | Weight: 456 pounds | |
Rescued | Today (to Columbus Zoo) | ||
Sabal (female) | September 1, 2023 | Weight: 345 pounds | |
Rescued | Today (to Cincinnati Zoo) | |
Lilypad (female) | December 8, 2023
| Weight: 296 pounds |
March 13, 2024
| Weight: 420 pounds | |
Vora (female) | October 2, 2023
| Weight: 282 pounds |
About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and educational destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern
Media Contacts: Nicolle Gómez Racey, nicolle.racey@columbuszoo.org
Jen Fields, jen.fields@columbuszoo.org
About ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to excellence in conservation, education, and research. The Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for over 30 years, is recognized as
Media Contact: Sandra Morrison, Sandra.Morrison@ZooTampa.org
About Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places. It was voted the #1 Best Zoo and the #1 Best Botanical Garden in USA TODAY reader polls and has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, Newsweek, and TripAdvisor. Over 1.8 million people visit the Zoo's award-winning habitats, 400 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for more than 30 years, is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. Known as the #GreenestZooInAmerica, the Zoo is doing its part to conserve natural resources that are critical to saving wildlife and its habitats and is committed to greening its daily operations and reducing its impact on the environment with rain gardens, recycled building materials, solar panels and more. The Cincinnati Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit us at CincinnatiZoo.org.
Media Contact: Michelle Curley, michelle.curley@cincinnatizoo.org
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life-themed rides and attractions, special events, and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 41,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than
Media Contact: swo-pr@seaworld.com
About DHL
DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 395,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than
Media Contact: Robert Mintz, robert.mintz@dhl.com
About the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)
The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) is a group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities dedicated to advancing manatee conservation through collaborative partnership. MRP partners participate in the rescue, rehabilitation, release, and post-release monitoring of manatees. This network of institutions includes acute care facilities that provide treatment to orphaned, sick, and injured manatees with the hope of one day returning them to the wild. MRP researchers collect invaluable data through manatee monitoring efforts to improve the understanding of manatee biology and health. By partnering cooperatively, MRP members work to promote stewardship and financial support of manatee conservation efforts through public education. For more information, visit us at manateerescue.org
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SOURCE SeaWorld Orlando
FAQ
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