Columbus Zoo to help rehabilitate 2 manatees from the Florida zoo

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomed two manatees to their rehabilitation program on Saturday. The manatees came from ZooTampa in Florida and will continue their treatment in Columbus.

The move stems from the need to relieve space concerns at ZooTampa, according to our news partners at 10TV.

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ZooTampa runs one of four critical care facilities that specialize in treating manatees in the state of Florida.

The two manatees, names Einstein and Acorn, are now the 34th and 35th manatees to be sent to the Columbus Zoo for rehabilitation since 1999. It was then that the zoo entered into the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, which has the zoo provide a temporary home for manatees until they are healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

Becky Ellsworth, curator of the Columbus Zoo’s Shores and Aquarium region said the zoo was proud to “help make a difference” in the lives of Einstein and Acorn, as well as all the manatees the program helps to rehabilitate.

Cox Media Group