SeaWorld Orlando Now Caring for
Male Manatee Rescued
Near Daytona Beach, Florida
A male manatee brought to SeaWorld Orlando on Saturday, Aug. 31, by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to recover and receive care for watercraft injuries. SeaWorld veterinarians performed radiographs to see if there were internal injuries to the spine and chest. The manatee was found in the Tomoka River near Daytona Beach, Fla.
Estimated to be approximately 8.75 feet in length and weighing around 680 pounds, the manatee was rescued because he had watercraft injuries and was suffering from a pneumothorax, likely caused by the watercraft injuries. When a manatee has a pneumothorax its body cavity fills with air and it cannot stay submerged.
Today SeaWorld Orlando animal care experts took radiographs of the manatee’s chest cavity and performed a “chest tap” to relieve the animal of built up pressure and air. He also was given antibiotics. The manatee is in guarded condition and will be monitored closely during the next few days.
So far in 2013, SeaWorld has rescued 15 and returned 8 manatees back to their natural habitat. 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 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades.
All manatee rescue footage produced by SeaWorld under FWS Permit Number MA7701911.
If you see injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.
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