3 manatees return to Florida after rehabilitation in Ohio

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— ZooTampa received three manatees from the Columbus Zoo after more than two years of rehabilitation.

Nolia, Waffles, and Amethyst were flown more than 1,000 miles from Ohio to prepare for release back into the ocean.

On Oct. 6 and 7th, the three manatees were placed alongside two others in custom-built containers on a DHL cargo plane.

In the next few months, the three manatees will complete the final stages of rehabilitation before they are released back into the wild.

“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.

Nolia, Waffles, and Amethyst who weigh a total of more than 2,000 pounds, will continue rehabilitation efforts in their native home.

While these three manatees were brought back to Florida, one female orphan calf, Sabal, was transported on the return flight back to Ohio to continue rehabilitation.

According to ZooTampa, juvenile manatees must weigh 600 pounds to be considered for release.

“We are grateful to our partners in Ohio for providing secondary rehabilitation. It’s an incredible team effort and we are excited about the manatees’ return to Florida waters early next year,” Burns said.

ZooTampa’s David A. Straz, Jr. Critical Care Canter has cared for almost 600 injured, sick, or orphaned manatees.

Yeti and Zamboni, two manatees who were receiving secondary care at Clearwater Marine Aquarium were brought back to the zoo due to Hurricane Helene bringing a total of 24 patients at the zoo.

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