POWELL, OH -- What's more Florida than a Crystal River manatee?
How about a rescued manatee named after the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch?
The orphaned male manatee was rescued from Crystal River on Feb. 6, the same day as the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch.
Another orphaned female was rescued Feb. 8 along with her mother off the coast of Florida. The mother died from her serious injuries and the female calf was left orphaned.
Both manatees were originally taken to SeaWorld Orlando to be rehabilitated before the Columbus Zoo welcomed the 143-pound calf "Heavy Falcon" and the other female calf, who is yet to be named Tues., April 24.
The manatees will continue to recover at the Columbus Zoo and are expected to be eventually released in Florida waters.
“We are so thrilled not only to welcome these two new manatees, but also to have the opportunity to participate in this partnership as a second-stage rehabilitation facility for manatees,” said Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Shores region at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “Our team is eager to get to know these two new additions over the next few weeks and to continue to help all seven of the manatees in our care grow stronger over time for their eventual releases.”
The threatened Florida manatees are faced with natural and man-made safety concerns every day, according to the Columbus Zoo, which includes but is not limited to: red tide exposure, cold stress, disease, boat strikes, floodgate issues, getting entangled, and fishing gear consumption.
Way to go, Columbus Zoo!
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