POWELL, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced six manatees were successfully rehabilitated at two Ohio zoos and were sent back to Florida facilities, inching closer to being released into the wild.

The collaborative efforts involve the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT — the Walt Disney World Resort — and SeaWorld Orlando.

According to a release from the zoo, the manatees were driven to a Kentucky airport and loaded onto a cargo flight to Florida on Nov. 9 as part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, or MRP.

They are set to complete the final stages of their rehabilitation before ultimately returning to native Florida waters where they were firs

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