Clearwater Marine Aquarium releases its first manatee rehabilitation patients back to wild

Clearwater Marine Aquarium has released its first manatee rehabilitation patients back into the wild this week. The two orphaned manatees - Orchid and Vora - arrived in November 2025.

This is a milestone for CMA’s rehabilitation efforts with the first successful release of manatee patients from the Dr. James “Buddy” Powell Manatee Rehabilitation Center.

The rescue, rehab and release of these manatees was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.

Vora was rescued as an orphaned calf in October 2023 in Pompano Beach, FL and was rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando , Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium before arriving at CMA for her final stage before release.

Vora was released at Blue Spring State Park on Feb. 17 with support from MRP partners, including Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Save the Manatee Club, County of Volusia, FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Florida State Parks.

Orchid was rescued as an orphaned calf in March 2023 in Crystal River, FL and was rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden before arriving at CMA. She was released in Crystal River on Feb. 17 with support from MRP partners, including MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Orchid was released off a boat into Kings Bay.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) tagged both juvenile manatees with a satellite tracking device and will continue to monitor them for the MRP following their release to ensure they are adapting well back in the wild.

All activities authorized by USFWS and conducted under USFWS Permit # MA66524C and USFWS Research Permit # MA37808A-2.