News

By Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate

Usually, for our “Manatees on the Mend” article, we focus on recent rescues, returns back-to-the-wild, and updates from our critical care partners in Florida. However, you may not know that there are also several out-of-state partners that assist with manatee rehabilitation and provide second-stage care once the manatee patients are no longer critical but need to gain some weight in preparation for their return to the wild.

In late September, I got the chance to visit our partners at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who recently opened up a new behind-the-scenes tour of the manatee habitat featuring the story of manatee MaryKate, whom Save the Manatee Club helped rescue at Blue Spring in 2021. As you may recall from prior updates, MaryKate spent her initial rehabilitation time at SeaWorld Orlando before she was transferred to the Columbus Zoo and was returned to the wild at Blue Spring earlier this year. The tour at the Columbus Zoo, conducted by educational docents and the manatee care staff, focused on their efforts by showcasing their current patients (Mr. Dobak and Nighthawk at the time) as well as their resident manatee, Stubby, who is serving as a surrogate mom to many orphaned calves. They showed us the backstage area, where they prepare the food for the manatees, their med pool, where they do first introductions, and the crates that manatees are transported in when traveling from Ohio back to Florida. Last, but not least, we saw the habitat where the manatees reside, right alongside a sea turtle, pelicans, stingrays, and multiple species of fish. A video that Save the Manatee Club published earlier this year in collaboration with the zoo telling MaryKate’s story was played for the tour participants to illustrate how our work comes full circle. It was an honor to speak to the staff and the tour participants, who got to hear firsthand what it takes to care for manatees in need.

In early October, Mr. Dobak and Nighthawk were transported back down to Florida in preparation for their return to the wild, and the Columbus Zoo received new manatee patients that need more time to grow before they can go back out into their natural habitat. These out-of-state partners open up critical bed space for manatees in Florida to care for the increasing number of manatees in need. Plus, it allows people outside of Florida to see manatees in person and learn about the program!