SeaWorld Rescuers Caring For Orphan Manatee Calf

A 3-week-old, orphaned manatee calf was rescued by SeaWorld Orlando just a few days ago. The female calf was brought to SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue and rehabilitation facility a week ago by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after being rescued in the Tomoka River behind a residential home in Ormond Beach. The tiny 66-pound calf had been on her own for more than 24 hours. She was confused, lost, and lacking vital nutrients from nursing.

Since she arrived at SeaWorld, the calf has been bottle-fed seven times a day and looked after around the clock by SeaWorld’s veterinarians and animal care experts. Her bloodwork and x-rays came back normal, which is a good sign. 

The team will continue to care for the manatee in hopes to return her to the natural environment once she is strong and mature enough to survive.

Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership

As part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), SeaWorld Orlando is an acute care rehabilitation facility that provides life-saving medical care to rescued manatees.

The MRP is a cooperative group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities who work together to monitor the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees. Information about manatees currently being tracked is available at www.manateerescue.org. The endangered Florida manatee is at risk from both natural and man-made causes of injury and mortality. Exposure to red tide, cold stress and disease are all natural problems that can affect manatees. Human-caused threats include boat strikes, crushing by flood gates or locks, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear.

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. To learn more, visit SeaWorldCares.com and follow the conversation with #SeaWorldCares on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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