Meet the Manatees
As a second-stage rehabilitation facility, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature provides a temporary home for manatees that will be released back into the wild after they have returned to health. The Bishop has been rehabilitating manatees since 1998. Manatees are cared for in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, which allows them to maintain natural behaviors. The Bishop has cared for 50 manatees, including our most recent arrivals:
THE PARKER MANATEE REHABILITATION HABITAT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Our Animal Care team is conducting routine maintenance of the habitat in the absence of manatees, and during this time, we are offering reduced admission prices to the Museum.
Mandalore
Mandalore is an orphaned calf rescued from Blue Springs in Orange City in February. When she was rescued, she weighed 180 pounds and is now 320 pounds.
USFWS permit No. PER0036186
UPDATE: Mandalore was returned to Blue Springs in Orange City on February 18, 2026, weighing 645 pounds and just over 7 feet in length.
Kyber
Kyber is also an orphaned calf who suffered from prolonged exposure to cold water. Rescued from Crystal River, she weighed 200 pounds and now weighs 310 pounds.
USFWS permit No. PER0036186
UPDATE: Kyber was released on February 17, 2026, in King’s Spring off Crystal River, weighing 575 pounds and 7 feet in length.
Crane
The largest of the three, Crane, is recovering from cold stress syndrome. Crane was rescued from Crane’s Bayou near Longboat Key. At the time of rescue, she weighed 355 pounds and now weighs 450 pounds.
USFWS permit No. PER0036186
UPDATE: Crane was released into Tampa Bay waters on 12.23.2025. At the time of her release, she weighed 665 pounds and measured 7.5 feet.
THE PARKER MANATEE REHABILITATION HABITAT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Our Animal Care team is conducting routine maintenance of the habitat in the absence of manatees, and during this time, we are offering reduced admission prices to the Museum.
It Costs $2,000 a Month to Feed a Manatee!
Florida’s wild manatees are facing more challenges than ever — this year, we’ve lost more manatees than any other year in our state’s history. Manatees need our help, and your monthly support as a Bishop Foster Friend will make it possible! Your monthly gift of just $10 will help us feed and care for rehabilitating manatees until they are healthy enough to go home.