Record 12 manatees released to natural habitat in single day, animal rescue service says
Fox News
A record number of manatees were released back into their natural habitat in a single day at Blue Spring State Park in Florida, according to the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership.
Many of the manatees were rescued as orphaned calves during an ongoing unusual mortality event, which has left thousands of animals malnourished and starving, according to MRP. The animals were released at Blue Spring State Park, a vital warm-water habitat for manatees and one of the largest winter gathering sites for this species in Florida, following their successful rehabilitation. (Seaworld Parks and Entertainment) Many of the manatees were rescued as orphaned calves during an ongoing unusual mortality event, which has left thousands of animals malnourished and starving. (Seaworld Parks and Entertainment) One of 12 manatees being released back into its natural habitat after rehabilitation in Florida on Feb. 14, 2023. (Seaworld Parks and Entertainment)
"Over the past several years, we have been called upon to rescue an alarmingly high number of injured, sick and starving manatees off the Florida coastline," said Monica Ross, chairman of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership and director of Manatee Research and Conservation for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute. "Through the efforts of the MRP partners, I am thrilled that we were able to return the highest number of manatees to their natural environment in a single day."
Critically endangered whale seen off California coast: 'Every sighting is incredibly valuable to us'
In a rare sighting recently, the endangered North Pacific right whale was spotted off the coast of California by a marine wildlife team near Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.