Clearwater Marine Aquarium releases two rehabbed manatees
February 20, 2026 - Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) released its first manatee rehabilitation patients back into the wild. Rescued as an orphaned calf in March 2023 in Crystal River, Orchid was released there Feb. 17. Vora was rescued as an orphaned calf in October 2023 in Pompano Beach, and was released Feb. 17 at Blue Spring State Park. Both manatees were rehabbed at SeaWorld Orlando and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden before entering the third and final pre-release stage at CMA.