For Immediate Release
New Manatees Welcomed to the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat at The Bishop
Bradenton, Fla., March 2024 – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced yesterday that two manatees have been transferred from SeaWorld Orlando to the Stage 2 Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat on Tuesday, March 5! The Bishop has cared for 48 rehabilitating manatees, including Tuesday’s arrivals:
“We will be monitoring the manatees closely as they acclimate to their new temporary home at The Bishop,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care at The Bishop. “Our goal is to help them grow over the next year with the hope that they will be able to be released next winter.”
Morado and Wicket are juvenile male manatees rescued between 6-8 weeks ago due to cold stress syndrome. Wicket, who was rescued from Bear Creek in St. Petersburg, also had a boat strike injury. Morado was rescued from Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Petersburg. Both Manatees weigh in the mid-300-pound range and will be considered for release in winter 2025.
“Our work to help rehabilitate manatees is such an important part of our identity here at The Bishop. We know how special it is for our community to be able to visit us and be part of that rehabilitation journey with us, so we’re delighted to see Morado and Wicket arrive and spend some time with us,” said Andrew Sandall, Chief Executive Officer of The Bishop. “The Museum is always an even more special place for visitors when we have manatees in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, and we look forward to watching our newest two temporary residents flourishing under the supervision of our incredible Animal Care team.”
You can visit Morado and Wicket and watch their progress at the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. You can also follow our recently released and satellite-tracked manatee, Ripkin, at manateerescue.org.
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The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility—a temporary home where manatees come after their initial critical-care needs have been met in manatee hospitals. This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild.
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