Columbus Zoo Welcomes Two Orphaned Manatees

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is now housing two rehabilitating manatees, that were recently rescued off the coast of Florida.

Officials say one is a male and the other a female. The 143-pound male calf, named "Heavy Falcon", was rescued on February 6th, and started his rehabilitation at SeaWorld in Orlando. He was found the same day of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch, hence the name.

The unnamed female was rescued on February 8th along with her mother. The zoo says the calf's mother died two days after her rescue. She was also taken to SeaWorld Orlando.

The two will continue their rehabilitation at the Columbus Zoo before they are eventually released back into the Florida waters.

The zoo is a participant in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership since 2001, and are the 28th and 29th manatees to rehab in Columbus since the program began.

(photo and video courtesy Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)


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