Aquatic theme park SeaWorld Orlando transferred four manatee calves to an Ohio aquarium for rehabilitation.
The manatees were shipped through DHL to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Saturday. The move came after SeaWorld received a record number of manatees needing treatment. SeaWorld is one of five critical care centers that care for manatees.
“This transport was necessary to make additional room for rescued manatees in need of emergency critical care,” SeaWorld said in a statement to the Associated Press. “The animals will receive care until they gain enough weight to return to Florida waters when conditions are favorable.”
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The four calves, named Lizzo, Cardi-Tee, MaryKate, and Ashley, were sent to the Columbus Zoo because it is one of two second-stage rehabilitation sites for manatees. The four were secured in custom-built containers and sent via a flight to the zoo while overseen by a Columbus Zoo veterinarian. The zoo will incorporate the four calves into a local tank containing five manatees.
“We are incredibly proud that—even from our location in the Midwest—the Columbus Zoo is working with dedicated partners to take an active role in helping these amazing animals in crisis. It is truly devastating to see what is happening to manatees,” said Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Shores & Aquarium region, in a press release.
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Manatees have seen a sudden uptick in deaths in 2021. At least 1,101 manatees were reported dead in 2021, according to preliminary data released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is twice as much as the five-year average. The causes of death vary, from artificial threats to a lack of food.
The Columbus Zoo made news on Jan. 7, when it operated on a puffer fish’s cataracts to save its vision.
