Home » SeaWorld Returns Manatees To Lagoon

SeaWorld Returns Manatees To Lagoon

By  //  July 18, 2013

manatees released in Eddy Creek

ABOVE VIDEO:  SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team returned four manatees to the waters of Eddy Creek in Brevard County, Fla. The four manatees had been receiving care at SeaWorld Orlando for the past few months and had been medically cleared for their return. Each manatee had been fitted with a satellite tag. This tag allows the FWC to monitor the animals’ movements to ensure their success. Helping in the release are Canaveral National Seashore and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission team members. All manatee rescue footage produced by SeaWorld under FWS Permit Number MA7701911.

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team returned four sub-adult, female manatees to the waters of Eddy Creek in Brevard County, Florida, this morning.

So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 13 manatees and returned seven after today’s return. (SeaWorld image)
So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 13 manatees and returned seven after today’s return. (SeaWorld image)

All four animals had been receiving care at SeaWorld for the past several months.

Of the four animals returned, three were rescued last December after becoming entrapped in a mosquito impoundment in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Pipsqueak and Nitty were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Braille was rescued by The SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team. All three animals were transported to SeaWorld facilities after their rescues, where they received medical care for mild cold stress.

The SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team and the FWC transported the manatees to Eddy Creek. With help from the Canaveral National Seashore and FWC team members, all four animals were successfully returned.

Pipsqueak and Nitty were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Pipsqueak and Nitty were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The fourth manatee, Asaka, was brought to SeaWorld Orlando in March after being rescued by FWC from the Indian River in Merritt Island, Florida. Asaka was suffering from natural buoyancy issues and had been floating very high in the water. Her health was evaluated by SeaWorld’s animal experts upon arrival at the park, who found no visual injuries. Asaka was able to work out her buoyancy issues during her time at SeaWorld.

The SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team and the FWC transported the manatees to Eddy Creek. With help from the Canaveral National Seashore and FWC team members, all four animals were successfully returned.

AMONG WORLD’S MOST RESPECTED PROGRAMS

SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades. (SeaWorld image)
SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades. (SeaWorld image)

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 waters.

SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades.

So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 13 manatees and returned seven after today’s return.

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 888-404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.

Animal Rescue Team members load the last manatee before heading to Eddy Creek. (SeaWorld image)
Animal Rescue Team members load the last manatee before heading to Eddy Creek. (SeaWorld image)
Pipsqueak gets measured one last time before her return back to the water. (SeaWorld image)
Pipsqueak gets measured one last time before her return back to the water. (SeaWorld image)
Our Animal Rescue Team and the FWC transported the manatees to Eddy Creek. With help from the Canaveral National Seashore and FWC team members, all four animals were successfully returned. (SeaWorld image)
Our Animal Rescue Team and the FWC transported the manatees to Eddy Creek. With help from the Canaveral National Seashore and FWC team members, all four animals were successfully returned. (SeaWorld image)