Weighing in at 1,042lbs, and with a wingspan of 11ft 9 1/4 inches, moving Hope is no small task. 
Luckily, the marine team had experience on their side, as well as a Eurocopter AS-350B3 Astar 
helicopter with a lifting capacity of 2500 pounds.

 At approximately 7:30am, the marine team lowered a special stretcher into the Ruins Lagoon and waited patiently for Hope to swim over. Once secure in her angled stretcher, she was given a complete medical exam and fitted with a tracking tag designed to send data back to the marine team for the next six months. 
This information will help the team learn about habitats Hope will visit, her depth and temperature ranges, 
and ultimately help researchers make important decisions about conservation.

As scores of guests and Atlantis staff looked on, the helicopter slowly raised Hope out of the Ruins Lagoon and flew her out to the warm waters of the Caribbean. One advantage of the marine habitat at Atlantis is its close proximity to the ocean, so Hope had a short flight, 90 seconds to be exact. After being lowered in 
the ocean, she swam away and is now back in a natural environment where she can thrive.

We’re going to miss Hope at Atlantis, she arrived at a time when we were just beginning to feel the effects 
of the pandemic and she lifted our spirits, just as her namesake suggests. This was the 15th manta ray 
released by the marine team and 8th by helicopter. We’re happy this was another success story, 
and that Hope is healthy and swimming free in our beautiful Bahamian  waters.