Grassy Key…An orphaned baby female manatee that was rescued by members of Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team on May 2nd is doing great and has been transferred to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus, OH. Named Squirrel, she now weighs 133 pounds and measures 139 cm. Soon after arriving at her new home, accompanied by another young rescued manatee named Scampi, little Squirrel bonded with Stubby, a mature female manatee. Columbus staff reports that they eat, snooze, and swim together throughout the day.
Squirrel was originally rescued from the water off of Schooner Bay Drive in Tavernier. She had been seen alone without her mother for more than a day when residents contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). DRC staff scooped her out of the water and carried her to shore. She was then transported to Miami Seaquarium where she was rehabilitated with other manatees for the last five months. “We are thrilled that this little girl is doing great!” said Mary Stella, Director of Media at Dolphin Research Center who participated in the rescue. “The long range hope is that when she is older, she can return and be released back into her home waters in the Florida Keys.”
Dolphin Research Center is the Licensed Manatee Rescue Team for the Florida Keys and provides this service on a volunteer basis. The nonprofit organization’s activities, including manatee rescues, are funded by admission and program fees, as well as by private donors and members. Founded in 1984, DRC is home to a family of dolphins and California sea lions. Located at 58901 (mile marker 59) Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, Florida, the center is open daily for the public to see narrated behavior sessions and educational presentations, and to participate in interactive programs with the dolphins. In addition to being one of the most highly respected education and research facilities in the world, is an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For more information, visit www.dolphins.org.
