Florida manatees are a federally protected threatened species. "Releasing these animals not only marks the successful rehabilitation of five more manatees, it also frees up critical space so additional manatees can be treated at our zoo," said Craig Miller, curator of mammals. Two of the manatees — females Amelia and Irma — were released Monday after spending almost a year at the center. Their tenure marked "the most animals that have been housed in the facility at the same time," according to the zoo. Amelia and Irma were rescued in 2017 as orphaned calves and initially taken to SeaWorld Orlando. They came to Jacksonville in February 2020.