For Immediate Release

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Returns Three Manatees to the Wild

Bradenton, Fla., February 2023 – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced today that on Friday, February 17, 2023, Animal Care staff from The Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat located at The Bishop successfully returned three female manatees to the wild. The manatees were in second stage rehabilitation after initially being rescued and medically treated for cold stress syndrome.

“It was great being able to return Aria, Janus, and Iclyn back to the wild,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care for The Bishop. “We have reached the goal we share for every rescued manatee, help them recover and return them home.”

The manatees were returned to a warm water site they would most likely use during the winter, which is located at the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center on Apollo Beach with help from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tampa Electric (TECO) staff, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Mote Marine Laboratory, and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

Before her release, Aria, the youngest manatee at rescue, was outfitted with a satellite-linked transmitter that will allow researchers, biologists, and organizations like The Bishop that were involved in an aspect of her rescue and rehabilitation to monitor her health and movements. The public can watch her movements online at www.ManateeRescue.org.

During the short vacancy of The Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, Museum staff will take the opportunity to conduct routine scheduled maintenance to the facility. Due to the great need to keep hospital space available, The Bishop will have new short-term residents transferred from one of the three critical care centers soon.

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The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility—a temporary home where manatees come after their initial critical-care needs have been met in manatee hospitals. This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild.