Powell, OH, 2013-01-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Woodstock, a manatee that was sent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Nov. 2011 for rehabilitation, is making her way to her new home at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
The Columbus Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo participate in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program. Woodstock became part of this program after she and her mother were victims of cold stress. They were rescued near the southwest coast of Florida on Jan. 7, 2011 however Woodstock was orphaned when her mother did not survive.
Two rehabilitated manatees just left the Cincinnati Zoo to head back to Florida to prepare for re-release leaving one manatee, Betsy, at the Otto M. Building Family Foundation Manatee Springs exhibit. Woodstock will be joining Betsy soon after her arrival at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Three manatees, Pixie, Wheezy and Stubby currently reside at the Columbus Zoo’s Manatee Coast.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium supports field conservation projects for three of four living species of manatees through its Conservation Fund. Providing grants to researchers on three continents (North America, South America and Africa), the Zoo contributes to rescue and rehabilitation in Florida, environmental education focused on the Amazonian manatee in Colombia, and critical population surveys for the least known species – the West African manatee.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are the only two program partners outside of the state of Florida to care for manatees. More information about the program is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (www.myfwc.com/manatee).
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The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 575 species from around the globe. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also operates the Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact; contributing more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating. For more information and to purchase advance Zoo admission tickets, visit www.columbuszoo.org.
CONTACT:
Patty Peters
Vice President, Community Relations