Blue Spring State Park Manatee Release

This past week, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and members of the MRP, successfully released five orphaned manatees to Blue Spring State Park in Florida after a years’ long journey of rehabilitation!
The manatees were originally rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and MRP Partners between 2020 and 2021. SeaWorld Orlando, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Brevard Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Save the Manatee Club, partnered closely for several years to provide treatment to fully rehabilitate these orphaned calves. In a complex release operation that took all day to complete, the sea cows are now safely home in Florida waters.
Every animal returned was fitted with a GPS tracking device that will allow CMARI researchers the ability to monitor their movements and ensure their acclimation to their natural habitat for the next year. These releases come at a critical time for the species as Florida manatees are at high risk from natural and human-caused threats.
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© 2023 Clearwater Marine Aquarium
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
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[@charlotteredman1310]

Great, Amazing work CMA! I hope to one day work with you guys at CMA some day to become a marine biology and work with animals at CMA! I ❤ you CMA forever and I support you guys at CMA and the animals 100%.

[@cherieannlisowski6332]

Yay 🎉

[@ligablumfelde3477]

🎉❤

[@gforceforever]

If they're ready for release, could you just let them live, free from encumbrances such as tracking devices? I understand research, but now they are at risk of getting hung up on things. I guess freedom isn't free, even for manatees.

[@BrianWenzel-dn8kt]

I'm guessing you didn't listen or if you did CLEARLY you did NOT understand what she said. They ARE free and are not "encumbured" by their device. I was there last week after their release and they were in the middle of the other 477 Manatees in the spring.