Manatee Rehabilitation: From Rescue to Release

On February 18, 2026, Georgia Aquarium released Lorenzo, a rehabilitated manatee, back into Florida's Crystal River after 11 months of care. Lorenzo arrived at Georgia Aquarium in March 2025 after being rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission working with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership. After nearly a year of rehabilitative care, Lorenzo gained over 400 pounds and passed all health requirements for release. Lorenzo was released in Crystal River, where hundreds of wild manatees congregate in the warm natural springs and was outfitted with a satellite tracking device to be monitored by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute for the MRP. Georgia Aquarium has been part of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership since 2021, providing mu