Four rescued manatees, three from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and one from Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, began their journeys to rehabilitation facilities in Florida on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, bringing them another step closer to their anticipated release into their native Florida waters this winter. All four have since arrived safely at their respective destinations, marking an important milestone in a coordinated, multi-institution conservation effort.
As part of the same coordinated effort, six additional rescued manatees arrived in Ohio on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, with three welcomed at the Columbus Zoo and three at the Cincinnati Zoo for continued rehabilitation.
“The MRP and the organizations it is comprised of are honored to play such a crucial role in manatee rescue and rehabilitation. These transfers are a culmination of the dedication and expertise of the experienced professionals that make up the MRP,” said Patrick Berry, President of the MRP.
Three female manatees that had been receiving care at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium—Redrock, Rosalyn, and Erie—returned to Florida to continue their rehabilitation at East Coast Zoological Foundation's (ECZF) Manatee Rehabilitation Center at Brevard Zoo.
One additional manatee from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden—Hundo—also departed Ohio for Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Florida.
At their receiving facilities, the four manatees will continue receiving specialized care as they prepare for their anticipated return to their native Florida waters.
“We’re proud to welcome Redrock, Erie, and Rosalyn back to Florida to continue their rehabilitation journey with the goal of eventually releasing them back to their native waters,” said Becca Downey, Senior Conservation Manager with ECZF. “So many organizations have been a part of this trio’s journey—including SeaWorld Orlando and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium—we're ready to do our part in offering Redrock, Erie, and Rosalyn a chance to thrive in their Florida home.”
“We are excited to follow Hundo’s journey back to his native Florida waters and ready to begin the rehab process for the three new calves that are now in Manatee Springs,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of mammals Kim Scott. “Every successful rehabilitation and release is a testament to the power of collaboration between AZA organizations and our shared commitment to protecting manatees for future generations.”
Transporting the manatees required careful coordination among animal care, veterinary and transportation teams. DHL Express provided air transportation between its global hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Orlando, Florida, while specially equipped trucks operated by the participating zoos and SeaWorld handled ground transportation. Members of the Columbus Zoo’s Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams accompanied the manatees on both DHL Express flights, monitoring their health, comfort, and wellbeing throughout the journeys.
Given the size and weight of the transport crates, DHL Express used a specialized loading plan to secure them for flight and ensure proper weight and balance for the safety of the manatees and crew. The crates also required specialized forklift equipment for handling.
The manatees traveled in custom-built containers designed to support their safety and comfort. Each container included an 8-inch-thick bed of foam to support each manatee’s body. Care teams used wool and space blankets to help maintain appropriate body temperatures, using laser thermometers, and regularly misted the manatees with water beneath their blankets to keep their skin moist throughout the journeys.
“Having supported multiple manatee transports, we understand how important safe, carefully coordinated journeys are to these remarkable animals’ recovery and continued rehabilitation as they move closer to returning to the wild,” said Laurice Bancroft, SVP Network Operations, DHL Express Americas. “We’re proud to bring our global network and logistics expertise to this effort and work alongside our conservation partners to help ensure these manatees receive the care they need every step of the way.”
The Columbus Zoo welcomed three female manatees—Celine, Poplin, and Gingham—from SeaWorld Orlando for continued rehabilitation at its Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden welcomed three males, Smidge, Tuglet, and Zimomo, also from SeaWorld Orlando, for continued rehabilitation at its Manatee Springs habitat.
At the Columbus Zoo, the new arrivals will receive care at the same facility as longtime resident Stubby, who has often voluntarily assumed the role of a surrogate mother to younger manatees. Due to injuries sustained in a boat strike, Stubby is considered conditionally non-releasable and has provided a familiar presence for many rescued manatees receiving care at the Zoo.
“Helping rescued manatees recover and return to their native waters is at the heart of our conservation work at the Columbus Zoo,” said Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Columbus Zoo's Shores and Aquarium region. “Our Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams invest tremendous expertise, time, and care into giving each manatee the best possible chance of returning to the wild. Seeing them reach this milestone is incredibly rewarding, and welcoming the next group reminds us that our work to protect this threatened species continues.”
Through the MRP, participating facilities provide specialized care and rehabilitation based on each manatee's individual needs. This includes several facilities in Florida providing critical care, including urgent veterinary treatment, while additional facilities in and outside of Florida serve as second-stage rehabilitation facilities, providing temporary homes, specialized care, and veterinary support as manatees recover.
Including the manatees involved in these recent transfers, the Columbus Zoo has returned 45 manatees to Florida since opening its Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in 1999. The Cincinnati Zoo has cared for 38 manatees and helped release 31 since 1999.
Florida manatees face natural and human-caused threats, including seagrass loss, red tide, cold stress, disease, boat strikes, injuries from flood gates or locks, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear.
