Photos: Manatee released in St. Augustine after spending months at Jacksonville zoo’s critical care center
Image 0 of 13
After spending more than two months at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ manatee critical care center, Gerard is back in his natural habitat. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
The male manatee, believed to be around 2.5 to 3 years old, was found beached near Palm Coast on April 30. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
The staff said he was very thin, weighing 491 pounds. Gerard was given treatments to improve his low blood glucose and hydration status. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
“Once those values stabilized, Gerard felt good enough to start eating on his own, which is always an exciting moment for us,” Dr. Meredith Persky, a veterinarian at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, said. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
Now, Gerard is at a healthy 601 pounds. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
Zoo staff released him back into the water in St. Augustine on Wednesday. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
They were thrilled to release him in much better shape then he was found. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
Gerard marked the zoo’s 23rd manatee released from its critical care center. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
Currently, there is an ongoing federal investigation into a record number of manatee deaths along the Atlantic coast of Florida. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
The deaths are believed to be because of a reduction in food availability, seagrass.
Manatee released in St. Augustine Blood samples from Gerard were sent to the University of Florida to assist in the investigation. If you see an injured marine mammal, call the FWC hotline at 1-888-404-3922 (FWCC) or dial *FWC on a cellular device. (Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens)
