ORANGE CITY, Fla. – Park workers and volunteers had a successful day Wednesday as they carried out five rescued manatees, one by one, into the water.
“This is one of those opportunities that we all love because we get the opportunity to see that animals that were rescued get returned back into the wild,” Monica Ross with Clearwater Marine Aquarium Manatee Research said.
The first manatee released was Lizzie, an orphan calf rescued back in 2020 and was rehabilitated at SeaWorld and Columbus Zoo.
Another manatee, Mary Kate, was rescued in 2022 and was also rehabilitated.
“It is definitely heartbreaking to find an orphan calf because you know something happened with its mom or there was a separation,” Ross said.
While the water may be cold for humans, 72 degrees is just about perfect for manatees at Blue Spring State Park.
When Gary Dillard heard about the release, he wanted to see the action up close.
“I’m amazed (at) the conservation effort that goes on here, and I feel like we are the rescue manatee center in the entire nation and it’s wonderful what they do here,” Dillard said.
Before the manatees are released into the water, crews took their measurements and placed a tracking tag on each manatee.
“That is the most wonderful feeling in the world to know that now they are fully wild animals, and they are going to be out there helping the population,” Ross said.
The release also comes a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped at Blue Spring State Park where he spoke about prioritizing funds for manatee rescue.
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