Manatee returns to Florida

[rjdiver]

For those who haven't heard, one of Florida's on-loan manatees is back home. My buddy Douglas has been at the Cincinnati Zoo for the last 4 1/2 years. I have been diving with him, cleaning the tank, for almost 2 1/2 years. He flew down to Miami on Saturday and will undergo conditioning to get him ready to be released in 2004. He was originally found as a 50 lb orphan near Key Largo and spent his first four years at the Miami Seaquarium.

It was actually emotional seeing Douglas leaving. I was happy to see that he will have the chance to swim free in the wild, but sad to not be able to see him. He actually seemed to recognize me in the tank, coming up to me nearly every time I was cleaning the tank (about twice a month). I am hoping that I may see him in the Florida waters someday soon.

 

[_Kurt_]

that the Cincinnati Zoo had a manatee, I would have gone to see it. I was living there for the past 11 years, in Ross. Now I live in Trenton and maybe I can see him on one of my trips to Crystal River, if that's where he gets released. Cool!

 

[MikeJacobs]

rjdiver once bubbled... For those who haven't heard, one of Florida's on-loan manatees is back home. SNIP... I am hoping that I may see him in the Florida waters someday soon.

What a terrific life experience, RJ, I'm sure you will treasure the memory, and thanks for sharing. I'm sure we'd all like to be updated on your own visit and whether you were able to track your pal down.

Stay well,
Mike

 

[rjdiver]

It was a thrill. I am going to miss Douglas. He has chewed on me, pushed me around and even hugged me in my time in the tank. My wife calls me a "glorified pooper scooper", since our main job is to vacuum the waste from the rocks, but I come to look forward to my trips to the zoo. A manatee named Dundee has moved from the Columbus Zoo to the Cincinnati Zoo, getting here yesterday. I get to dive with Dundee and Stoneman on Sunday morning. Can't wait.

 

[Drewpy]

What a great story and a happy ending! Im sure he will remember you when you visit in Florida!
There are several manatees at the Steinhart Aquarium here in San Francisco, but it breaks my heart to see them in such a small enclosure-I wish they could get a chance at freedom like your
pal Douglas!
Best of luck to him and yourself-keep us posted on his progress!