Baby Manatee Rescued by SeaWorld's Experts

Yesterday we reported how SeaWorld's Animal Care experts were helping a pilot whale to be again free to swim normally, despite her having a bad case of scoliosis. Today, we are once again talking about SeaWorld's efforts to save one of the most peaceful Florida native species: a baby manatee. Take a look:

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Animal Care Experts from SeaWorld & FWC Rescue Baby Manatee

(November 16, 2011) -- Animal care experts from SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued an orphaned female baby manatee at Sebastian Inlet today due to unknown causes. The calf is between three and six months old, weighs approximately 109 pounds, and is 4 feet, 3 inches long.

The baby manatee is swimming on her own, is in stable condition and responding well to fluids. She will undergo further tests tomorrow. We’ll send updated information as it becomes available.

For 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned.  More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts, and most of those animals are successfully treated and returned to the wild.

SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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- UPDATE -

Thanks to a comment of one of our readers, we sadly found out that the baby manatees has just passed away. Here's the news, as seen on CFNews 13:

ORLANDO -- An orphaned manatee rescued from Sebastian Inlet has died, SeaWorld said Thursday. SeaWorld's animal rescue team took the female calf into its care Wednesday. The calf was between 3 and 6 months old, and was a little more than 4 feet long.

"Although she appeared to be stable upon arrival, oftentimes there are underlying factors masking the real problem affecting the animal," said Susan Flower, senior communications manager for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. Officials were not immediately sure how the calf became orphaned. A necropsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

Despite this very sad event, we want to take the time to thank SeaWorld's Animal Care experts for the great job are doing.

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