“A former Cincinnati Zoo resident was released back into native Florida waters Monday.
Truffleshuffle, who was rehabilitated at the Cincinnati Zoo was released near Apollo Beach in the Tampa Bay area Monday morning.
The zoo has participated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership for the past 20 years. Truffleshuffle was the 20th manatee to be rehabilitated at the zoo.
The young manatee returned to Florida in September 2020 after being rehabilitated at the zoo and had been re-acclimating at SeaWorld Orlando since then.
‘Our team was honored to be a part of Truffleshuffle’s journey. Rehabilitating Florida Manatees is important conservation work that happens right here in Avondale,’ said Cincinnati Zoo manatee curator Winton Ray. ‘The goal of the MRP program is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release manatees. We cared for Truffleshuffle for a year to get him ready for this moment, and it’s a joyous occasion.’
Cincinnati Zoo is one of two facilities outside of Florida that provides non-critical care for manatees, officials said. The zoo’s manatee springs habitat has been undergoing renovations over the past several months and is now ready to start caring for more manatees.”
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