SARASOTA — Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium announced that its first two manatee rehabilitation patients, Sleet and Cabbage, were successfully released back into Florida waters last week following months of treatment and recovery.
The manatees are the first patients cared for at Mote since the organization received designation as a secondary care holding facility for manatee rehabilitation under the direction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Sleet and Cabbage arrived at Mote on April 28, 2025, after receiving initial treatment at Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership acute care centers. Both animals showed signs of cold stress and significant weight loss when they were transferred.
At Mote, animal care teams provided ongoing medical treatment and monitored the manatees as they gained weight and improved body condition, requirements for release back into the wild. Officials said both animals showed steady progress under care and were ultimately cleared for release by the cooperative rehabilitation team.
Sleet was released in Crystal River on Tuesday, December 9. Cabbage was released the following day, Wednesday, December 10, at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend discharge canal. The releases were conducted in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
Florida has experienced unusually high numbers of manatee deaths in recent years, driven by seagrass loss, harmful algal blooms, cold stress, vessel strikes, and other threats. These conditions have increased the demand for rehabilitation and holding facilities across the state.
With its new designation, Mote is housing non critical manatee patients, overseeing the final stages of rehabilitation, and preparing animals for return to the wild in its expanded facilities.
“The successful release of these two patients represents significant progress in statewide manatee conservation efforts,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote’s President and CEO. “It reflects the strength of our rehabilitation team and Mote’s commitment to advancing science based care that directly benefits this vulnerable species.”
As part of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, Mote works with agencies and organizations statewide to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and monitor manatees while supporting research and public education efforts.
