This Columbus Zoo manatee mom has raised 39 orphans
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Manatee calf Cobble swims with surrogate mother Stubby in 2024. Photos: Grahm S. Jones, courtesy of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's most celebrated mom won't be resting much this Mother's Day weekend. She's raised 39 kids so far — and there's always more work to do.
Why it matters: Stubby the manatee has taken orphaned calves under her flipper for 16 years, helping ensure the survival of a federally protected species.
The big picture: Columbus and Cincinnati's zoos are the only Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) facilities outside the Southeast.
- Both opened their habitats in 1999, providing valuable rehabilitation space.
- Once the baby manatees grow big and strong, they're released back into their wild habitats in Florida.
Zoom in: Surrogate mothers like Stubby lead by example, helping young, naïve calves learn important survival skills and build confidence, MRP vice president Becca Downey tells Axios.
- "You can really see how the babies gravitate," Downey says. "They're looking for somebody to be their mom, to turn to when they need extra protection or just love."
In Columbus, they've turned to Stubby since 2010, when her first group of calves arrived suffering from cold stress.
- The zoo typically houses two to three at once, but it had a record eight a few years ago.
- The story of Squirrel, a particularly tiny calf, captivated guests in 2020.
Flashback: Stubby's story began with her own rescue in 1995 as an adult. A boat strike destroyed most of her tail paddle, making it unlikely she'd survive in the wild.
- She spent a decade at SeaWorld Orlando alongside other adult manatees, including two surrogates still there today.
- As rescue and release efforts ramped up, Stubby moved to Ohio. The rest is history.
As most moms know, there's no motherhood instruction manual — that's also true for manatees.
- Stubby developed her skills all on her own over the years, from comforting new arrivals to demonstrating how to graze for snacks like seagrass, Shores & Aquarium assistant curator Taylor Hann tells Axios.
- She's estimated to be 30-40 years old, around middle-age.
- At over 2,000 pounds, she's large and in charge, but the perfect blend of independent and nurturing, Hann says.
The bottom line: "We're so lucky to have her here and see her in this role. It never gets old," Hann says. "It's conservation in action you can see happening in front of you."
Stop by: Visit Stubby and calves Erie, Rosalyn and Redrock in the Shores & Aquarium region or book a behind-the-scenes tour.
What's in a (manatee) name?
From Millennium and Falcon to MaryKate, Ashley and Cardi-Tee, many manatee babies come to Columbus with memorable monikers.
- Some, like Erie and Carmen, are thoughtfully named after their Ohio ties.
- Others are just punny — like Clawford and her unique forked flippers.
Here's every calf Stubby has raised, by arrival year:
- 2025: Lilypad, Vora, Orchid, Redrock, Rosalyn, Erie (originally Noface).
- 2024: Cobble, Clawford, Sabal.
- 2023: Mr. Dobak, Nighthawk.
- 2022: MaryKate, Ashley, Cardi-Tee, Lizzie (originally Lizzo).
- 2021: Acorn, Einstein.
- 2020: Squirrel, Scampi.
- 2019: Tostone, Bananatee.
- 2018: Carmen, Heavy Falcon.
- 2017: Goober, Agua.
- 2016: Junebug, Jedi, Millennium, Falcon.
- 2014: Cadbury.
- 2013: Rae.
- 2011: Pixie, Wheezy, Woodstock.
- 2010: Bernice, Tippecanoe, Hamilton, Bartlett, Fraulein.
