Orphaned manatees arrive for rehab
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden welcomed three new orphaned manatees from Florida in what may be the most bittersweet trade ever.
The zoo announced Wednesday that its popular manatees, BamBam and longtime resident Betsy, have been returned to Florida after successful rehabilitation stints at the zoo.
The news may come as a blow to those who grew attached to the manatees, especially Betsy, who had been at the zoo since 2010 and was a companion to nine other manatees, including BamBam, in that time.
“While we do get attached, we know that this is all part of a much bigger picture,” said manatee care team member Lindsay Garrett. “Each time a manatee leaves ... the wild population of manatees gets to add another member, and we can provide a home for another animal in need.”
Though Betsy and BamBam won’t yet re-enter the wild — BamBam will receive care at SeaWorld Orlando until a possible release in early 2018, and Betsy will remain at her birthplace, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, for the rest of her years — they certainly left a big space in Manatee Springs at the Cincinnati Zoo. But not for that long. In returning Betsy and BamBam to Florida, the zoo brought back to Cincinnati three orphaned manatees: Pippen, Miles and Mathew. A fourth orphan, Goober, was sent two hours northeast to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
The orphans — all male — come from SeaWorld Orlando and require rehabilitation.
Pippen was rescued from the Halifax River near Daytona Beach, Fla., on July 20, 2016, weighing only 58 pounds. After receiving critical care at Sea World Orlando, he weighs 225 pounds. He is the smallest manatee to live at Manatee Springs.
Miles was rescued from the Sykes Creek on Merritt Island, Fla., on Aug. 17, 2016, and weighed only 43 pounds. After receiving critical care at Sea World Orlando, he weighs 320 pounds.
Mathew was rescued from New Smyrna, Fla., on Oct. 9, 2016, right after Hurricane Matthew. He weighed 56 pounds and is up to 340 pounds.