First Lady Casey DeSantis joins manatee release effort, results of state’s historic funding
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis collaborated with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and SeaWorld at Three Sisters Springs Thursday to participate in the release of a manatee back into its natural habitat.
Dubbed “Toast,” the manatee was rescued from Kings Bay near Three Sisters Springs in January due to a natural buoyancy issue. After the rescue, Toast underwent care at SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue and rehabilitation facility.
Working alongside the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and SeaWorld teams, the first lady took part in the final medical assessment of Toast before his return to the water.
“It was a joy to be a part of this release and to see a rehabilitated manatee be returned to his home, happy and healthy,” DeSantis said. “I am proud of the work that FWC and their partners, like SeaWorld, do to help these animals when they are in need.”
“The Governor is committed to providing the resources necessary for these gentle sea giants to thrive in Florida’s waterways, and I am happy to see that Florida’s investments are paying off for the manatee population,” she continued.
Florida’s manatees confront a myriad of threats, including watercraft collisions, cold stress, red tide, entanglement, entrapment, and habitat loss.
Under Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state has embarked on a concerted campaign to rescue, rehabilitate, and release imperiled manatees, alongside significant investments aimed at preserving their natural habitats.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, comprising various governmental agencies, organizations, and private sector entities, concerted actions are underway to safeguard these gentle creatures.
Since 2019, the governor has allocated close to $70 million towards safeguarding Florida’s manatees, earmarking funds to expand rescue and rehabilitation initiatives while focusing on habitat restoration in key manatee-populated areas.
Moreover, Florida has committed $380 million to revitalize its renowned springs, crucial refuges for manatees during winter months when they seek warmer environments.
These efforts have yielded significant results, with 2023 witnessing the lowest manatee mortality rates since 2017. Highlighting the impact, Blue Spring State Park recorded an unprecedented 932 manatees seeking warmth in January, surpassing previous records and underscoring the success of conservation endeavors.
In the governor’s 2024 budget proposal, he proposed $9.5 million to continue manatee protection initiatives.
“Florida’s manatee population continues to strengthen because of our record investments in manatee protection programs and water quality improvements,” DeSantis said in a February announcement. “I am grateful for FWC for their proactive rescue and rehabilitation efforts.”
SeaWorld has a dedicated manatee rehabilitation area, which covers five acres and is utilized to help “ill, injured or orphaned” sea creatures.
The first lady thanked the commission and Seaworld on X for their efforts to rescue and rehabilitate Florida’s manatees.
