TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Georgia Aquarium has released a rehabilitated manatee back into the water here in Tampa Bay after a devastating injury.

Tay Tay, the young manatee, was found injured in a boating accident earlier this year.

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The aquarium said that due to her fragile condition, she needed veterinary attention to regain weight and recover before releasing her back into the wild.

The Georgia Aquarium nursed Tay Tay back to health at its off-site facility as part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.

When the young manatee was ready to rejoin her species, the Tampa Zoo assisted aquarium staff in releasing her into the waters at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center.

The photos and video above show Tay Tay returning to warm waters and swimming alongside other manatees in her new, permanent home.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Florida manatees are a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, with only about 8,350 animals remaining. They are native to Florida and typically inhabit the state’s warm waters, including rivers, bays, canals and estuaries.

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