ORLANDO, Florida –
An orphaned male manatee was rescued on Sunday from the Banana River, near Cape Canaveral, Fla. A local citizen
contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) when they noticed the manatee swimming alone
and was experiencing buoyancy problems.
The FWC rescued the
manatee from the shallow waters and transported him to SeaWorld Orlando
for rehabilitation and care - making him the 500th rescued manatee to be cared for at SeaWorld Orlando since the animal rescue program started in 1976.
The
285-pound manatee was given a complete health exam upon arrival at
SeaWorld, including antibiotic treatment. The manatee will continue to
receive
around-the-clock care and the team remains cautiously optimistic that
he will make a full recovery. The goal, as with every rescue, is to
return the manatee back to his natural environment once he’s strong
enough to survive on his own.
So
far in 2014, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued six manatees and returned
five. In collaboration with the government and other members of
accredited
stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of
the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine
animals with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the ocean. SeaWorld
animal experts have helped more than 23,000 animals
in need - ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned - for more than four
decades.
If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.
