MERRITT ISLAND, Florida – Today, SeaWorld
Orlando’s Animal Rescue team traveled to Merritt Island, Florida to return a
rescued manatee and her two-week-old calf to their natural environment.
The pair
was successfully returned to the waters of Sykes Creek, where mom was
originally rescued.
The female manatee was pregnant when
she was rescued about two months ago, and during her rehabilitation at
SeaWorld Orlando gave birth to a healthy male calf. Once the pair had
bonded and the veterinary
team confirmed that the calf was nursing, the park’s animal experts felt
the manatees had an excellent chance to survive on their own.
SeaWorld’s ultimate goal is to return rescued animals to the wild once
they are in good health.
On
June 8, 2012, SeaWorld’s animal rescue team rescued the 10-foot manatee from Sykes Creek. She had severe injuries to her front right flipper
caused by a crab pot line, and fishing line was also tightly wrapped
around both of
her front flippers.
Weighing nearly 1,380 pounds, the manatee
was transported by the rescue team to SeaWorld Orlando for further
evaluation and care. After assessment, her front right flipper was
amputated and bandaged. She received antibiotics and
was treated for her injuries, and her health continued to improve.
Based on her size, SeaWorld’s veterinary
team suspected the manatee could be pregnant. After performing a
sonogram procedure on the gentle giant, it was confirmed that she was pregnant and about six weeks later, the calf was born.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Care team kept a close eye on the pair, to
ensure they were both healthy enough for yesterday’s return.
SeaWorld's
animal rescue team is on call 24/7 to save and care for injured,
orphaned or ill animals. So far in 2012, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 12 manatees.
