Today is International Manatee Day! This day is to help recognize the conservation, education, and research work done worldwide to protect all species and subspecies of manatees and the ecosystems they rely on.
On October 1, 2023, three orphaned manatees—Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles—arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where their dedicated keepers have been nurturing them to reach a release weight of at least 600 pounds. After a year of care, the trio has now reached their target weight and are set to return to the waters of Florida next month, ready to thrive in their natural habitat once again!
The Cincinnati Zoo is proud to be a part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). We are one of only a handful of places outside of Florida where people can see manatees and learn more about what can be done to protect them.
