Stormy: a success story

March 19, 2003:  The MRP is celebrating the successful wild adaptation of Stormy the manatee. Stormy, who was born in captivity, took his time getting used the wild. He was first released in the winter of 2002 but had to be brought back to Lowry Park Zoo when he did not adjust well to the wild.  He was released for the second time in Winter 2003.  He has been carefully tracked for the past year by conservation biologist, Monica Ross.  On March 16th, Monica and a team of biologists and veterinarians captured Stormy for his final health assessment.  Lowry Park Zoo veterinarian, Dave Murphy, rated Stormy's condition as "good".  The decision was made to discontinue tracking Stormy who is considered by program standards to have successfully adapted to the wild.  His tracking equipment was removed and he was returned to the water. To quote Monica, "Go Stormy, go Stormy!" . 

The capture boat circles Stormy with a net. His tag can be seen inside the net.

Scientists were impressed that Stormy had put on weight. As you can tell, his belly does not look thin.

Stormy's exam is over and he is released into the wild without his tracking equipment!!