From Rescue to Rehabilitation and Release, Three Manatees Continue Their Journey Home
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced that three manatees, Crane, Kyber, and Mandalore, have successfully completed their rehabilitation at the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat and returned to the wild.
Crane was 450 pounds when she arrived at The Bishop and was released at the Apollo Beach Manatee Viewing Center at TECO on December 23, 2025. At the time of her release, she weighed 665 pounds and measured 7.5 feet in length.
Kyber arrived at The Bishop weighing 310 pounds. After completing her rehabilitation, she was released on February 17, 2026, in King’s Spring off Crystal River, weighing 575 pounds and 7 feet in length.
Mandalore weighed 320 pounds upon arrival at The Bishop. On February 18, 2026, she was returned to Blue Springs in Orange City at 645 pounds and just over 7 feet in length.
“It’s always a big day at The Bishop when we’re able to return manatees back to the wild, and while we’ll miss Kyber, Mandalore, and Crane, we know that getting them back home means a job well done by our Animal Care team,” said Andrew Sandall, Chief Executive Officer of The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, “We look forward to welcoming new manatees to Bradenton soon and playing a vital role in their rehabilitation back to the wild.”
The Bishop’s Animal Care team worked closely with partners from the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Mote Marine Laboratory, to coordinate each release. Release sites were selected based on the warm water site closest to each animals’ rescue location and seasonal conditions to give each manatee the strongest chance for success in the wild.
“Last winter, The Bishop was able to operate a temporary critical care facility through a grant from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,” stated Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care at The Bishop, “These three manatees were unique to The Bishop in that we performed both the critical care and the secondary rehabilitation for them, leading to their release today.”
With these successful releases, The Bishop is preparing to welcome additional manatees in need of second-stage rehabilitation.
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Located in Bradenton, Florida, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It offers engaging exhibits, a state-of-the-art Planetarium, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe. It is also home to the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat.
The Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat at The Bishop is a vital Stage 2 rehabilitation facility. It provides essential, intermediate care for manatees after they have received initial emergency treatment at critical care hospitals. The primary focus is facilitating their complete recovery, helping them reach a healthy weight, and preparing them for an eventual return to their natural habitat in Florida’s waters.
