SeaWorld Rescues Manatee Mom And Calf After Possible Boat Strike
Monday, a Manatee mom and calf were transported from North Fort Myers to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation and care. The two were taken in by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) when mom was observed floating and experiencing buoyancy issues from a possible boat strike.
For manatees, buoyancy issues can negatively impact a manatee’s health. Buoyancy can cause complications with eating patterns and nursing for the calf. If not fixed, this situation can be life-threatening. The condition is known as a pneumothorax and it was potentially caused by the blunt force of a boat strike. The calf is estimated to be a 1-year-old and, although unharmed, is still nursing and dependent on its mother.
SeaWorld Orlando is part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), a rehabilitation center dedicated to providing life-saving care to rescued manatees. So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team has rescued 30 manatees and returned 7.
Florida manatees have recently been removed from the endangered species list. However, they still are listed as threatened and are at risk from natural and human 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 floodgates or locks, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear. Information about manatees currently being tracked is available at www.manateerescue.org. 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.
A few months ago Aku, a rescued walrus calf, was transported from the Alaska Sea Life Center (ASLC) to SeaWorld Orlando. Aku joined the parks Wild Arctic family, which includes three walruses Garfield, Kaboodle and Ginger. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the training these wonderful animals are going through!
For more information about SeaWorld’s involvement with conservation, visit the official SeaWorld Cares website here. For tickets and more information to the park, visit the official SeaWorld website by clicking here.
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