CINCINNATI — While Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s recently said farewell to its residents of Manatee Springs — Nolia, Amethyst and Waffles — the water was not empty for long.

Three new manatees have entered the springs: Lilypad, Orchid and Vora, with the zoo’s manatee rehab team prepared to feed and care for them. The manatees became visible to the public on Oct. 10, shortly after their northern move.

What You Need To Know

  • The zoo works as a second-stage rehab facility in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)

  • All three manatees are natural orphan calves and females named Vora, Orchid and Lilypad

  • The three recent additions bring the zoo's manatee count up to 32 since it joined the MRP program in 1999

  • Entering Manatee Springs alongside the manatees are two alligator gars, Dolly Garton and Busta Slimes

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the manatees that we care for return to their natural environment,” said Lindsay Garrett, head keeper, North America department, in a news release. “And, while it’s exciting to meet and care for new manatees, it’s also sad that there seems to be an unending stream of injured and orphaned animals in need of rescue and rehabilitation.”

The zoo works as a second-stage rehab facility in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP); the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is also a second stage facility. Cincinnati Zoo will provide food and veterinary care until the manatees are grown enough to return to Floridian waters. Providing this care through the partnership allows space to be available at critical care facilities and gives Ohio, and its visitors, a chance to learn about the animal.

All three manatees are natural orphan calves and females. Vora was rescued on Oct. 2, 2023 from Lake Santa Barbara-Pompano Beach/Broward County when she weighed 57 lbs. She now weighs 282 lbs. Lilypad was rescued from Salt Springs/Marion County on Dec. 8, 2023. She weighed 97 lbs at rescue and currently weighs 296 lbs. Orchid was rescued from Three Sisters Spring-Crystal River/Citrus County on March 13, 2024. She weighed 165 lbs at rescue, but currently weighs 420 lbs.

“Our partnership in the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) program and collaboration with so many dedicated organizations give everyone at the Cincinnati Zoo great pride,” said Cincinnati Zoo curator of mammals Kim Scott in a release. “It’s an honor to care for these amazing animals. There is nothing better than seeing them thrive and grow in the dedicated hands of our manatee keepers.  Caring for a species that is part of an active rehabilitation and recovery program is incredibly fulfilling, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing the work we do every day leads to a manatee returning to its home in the wild.  We are excited to welcome Orchid, Lilypad and Vora to Cincinnati.”

The three recent additions bring the zoo’s manatee count up to 32 since it joined the MRP program in 1999.

Entering Manatee Springs alongside the manatees are two alligator gars, Dolly Garton and Busta Slimes.

Florida manatees were downgraded from endangered to threatened in 2017, but the species continues to face risks from both natural and man-made causes. The population is believed to be at 13,000, at least, with more than 6,500 residing in the southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico. For the past two years, the Atlantic coast population has experienced high mortality rates through exposure to red tide, cold stress and disease. Alongside these are human-made challenges such as boat strikes, crushing by flood gates or locks, and entanglement in or ingesting fishing gear. According to the zoo’s release, many manatees are starving because of the pollution from agriculture, septic tanks and urban runoff killing off the seagrass they rely on for food.

To learn more about the MRP program, click here.