First off let me apologize for not being around much. Work has kept me pretty busy lately. And second, I can't tell you how mad I was when I wasn't allowed to wear my MFK shirt during all of this. 
With that said, earlier this week we released a manatee that was orphaned a few years back. It was raised to a heathy size (over 800 lbs), and released in a protected area with media and the public there to wish him well in his new home. And I know what your guys are all thinking...."Matt and MAMMALS!?" Let's just say there is a big holding tank begging for use as shark quarantine now
CBS Media link:
http://cbs4.com/local/miami.seaquarium.manatee.2.961966.html
I can't share pics from loading him up in the holding area, but here are some that were taken at the release site:
Freeze branding is used to ID all that have been released so they can be called in by public who see them. This guy is #74. We also PIT tagged him with a small chip so we can scan and read info at a later date if need be.
Taking his first breath
The MSQ moving team - Animal care staff, Vet staff and our General Curator. It took our staff plus the joint effort of FWC Manatee Rescue and USFW officers to make all of this happen.
With that said, earlier this week we released a manatee that was orphaned a few years back. It was raised to a heathy size (over 800 lbs), and released in a protected area with media and the public there to wish him well in his new home. And I know what your guys are all thinking...."Matt and MAMMALS!?" Let's just say there is a big holding tank begging for use as shark quarantine now
CBS Media link:
http://cbs4.com/local/miami.seaquarium.manatee.2.961966.html
I can't share pics from loading him up in the holding area, but here are some that were taken at the release site:
Freeze branding is used to ID all that have been released so they can be called in by public who see them. This guy is #74. We also PIT tagged him with a small chip so we can scan and read info at a later date if need be.
Taking his first breath
The MSQ moving team - Animal care staff, Vet staff and our General Curator. It took our staff plus the joint effort of FWC Manatee Rescue and USFW officers to make all of this happen.
