Manatee Release!

Today we celebrated an exciting milestone as Luca and Giovanni were successfully released back into the wild. The two manatees arrived at our facility on September 25, 2025, from SeaWorld Orlando for continued care and rehabilitation. Giovanni, a naturally orphaned calf rescued from Vaca Key on August 7, 2024, weighed 141 pounds when he entered rehabilitation. Luca was rescued from South Sound Creek on May 5, 2025, with natural buoyancy issues and weighed 340 pounds at the time of his rescue. After months of dedicated care, both manatees made incredible progress. On March 11, 2026, Luca (624 pounds) and Giovanni (698 pounds) were released at Calusa Campground, where they will have the opportunity to reconnect with other manatees in the wild.

Their journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of our R³EACH program, which supports the rescue, rehabilitation, and education of habitats and diverse species of the Florida Keys, including manatees. As the only manatee rehabilitation facility in the Florida Keys, we are proud to play a role in giving animals like Luca and Giovanni a second chance.

All manatee activities conducted under USFWS permit MA48324D.