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CINCINNATI, OH (October 16, 2026) – A mass manatee shuffle earlier this week involving several members of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) has brought three orphaned males to Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden‘s Manatee Springs. Rescued manatees Smidge, Tuglet, and Zimomo, who have been receiving care at SeaWorld Orlando, will continue their rehabilitation in Cincinnati.  They will temporarily share the pool with current Manatee Springs residents Slushie and Alfred until they leave to start their journey back to native Florida waters.              

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The other manatee that shared the pool with Slushie and Alfred, Hundo, was transported to Florida on October 12, 2026, along with three rehabilitated manatees from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, bringing them another step closer to release into their native Florida waters this winter. All four have since arrived safely at their respective destinations, marking an important milestone in a coordinated, multi-institution conservation effort. Hundo will receive specialized care at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Florida, and the three from Columbus will be cared for at East Coast Zoological Foundation’s (ECZF) Manatee Rehabilitation Center at Brevard Zoo before their eventual release. 

“We are excited to follow Hundo’s journey back to his native Florida waters and ready to begin the rehab process for the three new calves that are now in Manatee Springs,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of mammals Kim Scott. “Every successful rehabilitation and release is a testament to the power of collaboration between AZA organizations and our shared commitment to protecting manatees for future generations.” 

As part of the same coordinated effort, three additional rescued manatees arrived at the Columbus Zoo for continued rehabilitation.  

The six manatees that are now in Ohio were originally rescued through efforts involving the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and members of the MRP, a cooperative network of nonprofit, private, state, and federal organizations working together to rescue, rehabilitate, and ultimately return manatees to Florida’s waters. The recent transfers were coordinated among participating organizations, including the Columbus Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, SeaWorld Orlando, East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF) at Brevard Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and transportation partner DHL Express. 

“The MRP and the organizations it is comprised of are honored to play such a crucial role in manatee rescue and rehabilitation. These transfers are a culmination of the dedication and expertise of the experienced professionals that make up the MRP,” said Patrick Berry, President of the MRP. 

More about the newest Manatees:  

Tuglet: Rescued March 15, 2025 as an orphaned calf from Banana River, Cocoa Beach, Fla. Weight at rescue: 42 pounds, Recent Weight: 365 pounds 

Smidge: Rescued April 15, 2025 as an orphaned calf from Key Largo, Fla. Weight at rescue: 43 pounds, Recent Weight: 353 pounds 

Zimomo: Rescued May 27, 2025 as an orphaned calf from St. Augustine, Fla. Weight at rescue: 47 pounds, Recent Weight: 368 pounds 

Cincinnati Zoo serves as a second-stage rehabilitation facility in the MRP. Its role is to provide plenty of food, primarily lettuce, and veterinary care until the manatees are big and strong enough to be returned to Florida waters. It is one of a handful of facilities outside of Florida that provide non-critical care for manatees. Providing second-stage care opens valuable space at critical care facilities and gives Midwesterners the opportunity to learn about these remarkable animals. Cincinnati Zoo has cared for 38 manatees since it began participating in the MRP program in 1999.  

The Florida manatee, downgraded from endangered to threatened in 2017, continues to be at risk from both natural and man-made causes of injury and mortality. Exposure to red tide, cold stress, and disease are all problems that can affect manatees. Human-caused threats include boat strikes, crushing by flood gates or locks, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear. The population is believed to be at least 13,000, with more than 6,500 in the southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico, mostly in Florida. The significant decline of their food source on the Atlantic coast will most likely have long term effects on the overall population.  

The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. (Jack O’Lantern Glow is after hours). Members get Early Entry and are welcome to enter the Zoo at 9 a.m. Download the mobile app featuring a GPS-enabled digital map that will take you right to Manatee Springs. 

NOTE:  Manatee Springs will be closed tomorrow, October 17, for Smidge, Tuglet, and Zimomo’s first swim in the main pool.