JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Two young, orphaned manatees have arrived at a Florida zoo after being rescued separately two years ago.
The Florida Times-Union reports the only a couple years-old marine mammals were admitted Wednesday at the Manatee Critical Care Center of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as its first patients.
Cassie weighed roughly 65 pounds (30 kilograms) when she was found but now is nearly 800 (350). Buckeye weighed more than 60 (30) at the time but now he’s more than 600 (300). Both are still growing as Florida manatees can weigh up to 2000 (900) or more.
Zoo curator Craig Miller says they’ll be returned to the wild during winter in warmer waters farther south if all goes well over the next several months. Miller says neither is ill or needs emergency treatment.