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Interesting; thanks for providing that. A bit odd but there we have it. I do think they should allow unreleasable animals to other institutions, if nothing else as an ambassador. They’re probably the most unique mammal native to the US!

Unreleasable manatees are nearly non-existent. As an example, Stubby has been at Columbus since 2005, and was at Homosassa Springs before that. She has a serious skin condition that's nearly killed her several times, along with not having most of her tail. She's considered conditionally unreleasable and gets evaluated 5 years. Even though she's been in captivity for decades, if vets figure out how to solve her skin condition, she'd be released back into the wild.
 
It’s interesting to hear that there are almost none that are considered unreleasable. I won’t doubt the experts but as a layman that seems quite remarkable (In a good way!)

Are the other manatees at Cincinnati and Columbus in a similar situation to Stubby? Or are they on a more short term thing?
 
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It’s interesting to hear that there are almost none that are considered unreleasable. I won’t doubt the experts but as a layman that seems quite remarkable (In a good way!)

Are the other manatees at Cincinnati and Columbus in a similar situation to Stubby? Or are they on a more short term thing?

No, Stubby is the only seriously long term. The ones that go to Ohio are ones that need more long-term care than the average rescue, but that's usually 1-2 years. Stubby has been particularly good at caring for young manatees that have been orphaned.
 
It’s interesting to hear that there are almost none that are considered unreleasable. I won’t doubt the experts but as a layman that seems quite remarkable (In a good way!)

Are the other manatees at Cincinnati and Columbus in a similar situation to Stubby? Or are they on a more short term thing?
There are a couple manatees that were born at the Miami Seaquarium back when the facility used to breed manatees that are non-releasable as well as a couple elderly individuals at SeaWorld Orlando. So a vast majority of the population can be released but there are a group of exemptions.
 
That’s sad news. How many walrus are at the park now?

SWC (1.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*] (b. 05.05.2010)
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*] (b. 06.21.1993)
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 03.26.1984
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.19.1994)
 
Ahhh the chicks looked bigger than the kings including one that was huddled with the emporers. My mistake
 
Ahhh the chicks looked bigger than the kings including one that was huddled with the emporers. My mistake
Don't stress at all! The chicks are quite large this season so it was an easy mistake to make. Funnily enough one male King Penguin cares for two of the chicks while a pair of Emperor's have seemed to adopt the third king chick making it quite the funny scene at Penguin Encounter.
 
Thanks for the clarification. Having seen most of the big penguin exhibits in the country SWSD is my favorite. Not only how many species but the sheer numbers. Do you know how many total? Also the alcid exhibit is a bonus as well as the outside enclosure with the S.A. penguins
 
Thanks for the clarification. Having seen most of the big penguin exhibits in the country SWSD is my favorite. Not only how many species but the sheer numbers. Do you know how many total? Also the alcid exhibit is a bonus as well as the outside enclosure with the S.A. penguins
Interesting, so do you prefer SWSD's penguin exhibit to Detroit's Polk Penguin Conservation Center?
 
Thanks for the clarification. Having seen most of the big penguin exhibits in the country SWSD is my favorite. Not only how many species but the sheer numbers. Do you know how many total? Also the alcid exhibit is a bonus as well as the outside enclosure with the S.A. penguins
SeaWorld San Diego definitely has an incredible habitat and the other birds are a wonderful addition as well. One of the best features are how much emphasis is put on the penguin's welfare and how the guests come after: between the incredible austral season light cycles to encourage breeding and natural behaviors to the sheer amount of money spent covering the entire habitat with snow 24/7. I don't know the exact number but there is more then 300 penguins in the habitat as of August 2023.
 
I would like to say that for everyone who has gained a bad taste in their mouth for SeaWorld over the past decade, it seems to me like the park is starting to turn around in a better direction. I won't be the first or last person to say that the Blackstone Group and Joel Manby ruined SeaWorld for many. Their lack of focus on actual animal welfare and instead wanting more rides and more money ruined the park. However now that they are both gone along with the pandemic, I think SeaWorld will continue to grow and become a better facility. Management is starting to actually listen to keepers and trainers and the overall animal welfare is improving greatly. The animals now live in permanent and well made habitats with many decisions actually making sense now. The park is starting to build animal habitats again like the Jellyfish Aquarium next year and more zoological developments are being talked about right now. The rescue program has greatly expanded along with other conservation programs that were not present five years ago. Although my dream of SeaWorld being a non-profit will never come true, they are starting to move away from the ideals of a corporation and being more focused on acting as a messenger for conservation. Even renovating Sesame Street to become an educational experience about the rescue program and the new Arctic ride having a small conservation message is a huge improvement. Maybe they can get rid of the stupid arcade next :rolleyes:. I think there is a very promising future for SeaWorld now that this very rough patch is over and I’m excited for what the future brings.
 
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