The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has turned a leaf in its Manatee Springs exhibit, welcoming a new trio of manatees named Lilypad, Orchid, and Vora. According to WLWT, the fresh faces arrived earlier this week from Florida, and zoo-goers can start gazing at these gentle giants tomorrow.
In an operation that was quick on its flippers due to a packed house at Florida's manatee rehab facilities, the newcomers replaced Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles, which were recently escorted back to Florida waters for release. However, it may seem sad for some that, despite conservation efforts, injured and orphaned manatees continue to fill the care spots, as headkeeper Lindsay Garrett sorrowfully explained to Cincinnati Zoo's website.
The Cincinnati Zoo functions as a vital waystation in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), a collaborative effort to rehabilitate these animals until they're hefty enough to fend for themselves back home in Florida. Kim Scott, the Cincinnati Zoo curator of mammals, shared with the Cincinnati Zoo's website, "It's an honor to care for these amazing animals," discussing the rewarding nature of their recovery journey.
This isn't just an aquatic mammal show. Dolly Garton and Busta Slimes, two new alligator gars, will also be making waves in the exhibit, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., per WLWT. Though Florida manatees' status has improved slightly in recent years, they continue to face severe threats from environmental issues and human activity, which Garrett highlighted in a statement obtained by FOX19.
