After spending nearly a year recovering in Ohio, an orphaned manatee calf boarded a flight back to Florida.
Here's what to know
Before his expected release into Florida waters, Hundo will continue rehabilitation at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, according to FOX 19.
He left Ohio on Oct. 12 with three other rehabilitated manatees in a transfer involving animals treated at the Cincinnati and Columbus zoos, as the Cincinnati Zoo described in a news release.
When Hundo arrived in Cincinnati in November 2025, the orphaned calf weighed just 150 pounds, per FOX 19. By Oct. 14, he was up to 546 pounds, showing how much progress he made during rehabilitation.
"We are excited to follow Hundo's journey back to his native Florida waters and ready to begin the rehab process for the three new calves that are now in Manatee Springs," said Cincinnati Zoo's curator of mammals Kim Scott in the release.
The transfer also opened space at Cincinnati's Manatee Springs for three newly rescued calves: Tuglet, Smidge, and Zimomo.
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More background
Boat strikes, disease, and red tide are among the threats Florida manatees face, according to the zoo. Animals that are injured or orphaned can end up in rescue systems far from the waters where they were found.
Hundo, from a species closely associated with warm coastal waterways, spent nearly a year rebuilding his strength at a second-stage rehab facility in Cincinnati. His case shows that inland zoos can play a direct role in marine conservation despite being hundreds of miles from Florida.
These programs make zoos and transportation hubs part of a broader rescue network. In this case, Cincinnati's airport became the departure point for an animal heading back toward the habitat where he can eventually live on his own, while the zoo immediately shifted its attention to the next three calves in need of care.
What's being done?
The rescue of Hundo and the three other manatees involved a coalition of local, state, and federal organizations. The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership helped coordinate the whole operation.
"The MRP and the organizations it is comprised of are honored to play such a crucial role in manatee rescue and rehabilitation," Patrick Berry, President of the MRP, said in the release. "These transfers are a culmination of the dedication and expertise of the experienced professionals that make up the MRP."
Jacksonville Zoo will serve as the final rehabilitation stop before Hundo is expected to return to Florida waters. Meanwhile, Cincinnati's staff is already beginning the next phase of care with Tuglet, Smidge, and Zimomo in Manatee Springs.
It is part of a conservation system of rescue, stabilization, relocation, release, and then making room for more animals in need.
"Every successful rehabilitation and release is a testament to the power of collaboration between AZA organizations and our shared commitment to protecting manatees for future generations," Scott concluded in the release.
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