VIDEO: SeaWorld Rescuers Care For 3-Week Old Orphan Manatee

By  //  September 8, 2015

ABOVE VIDEO: More than 500 animals have been rescued by SeaWorld Orlando this year alone, including one of the newest lucky ones: a 3-week-old, orphaned manatee calf. (SeaWorld Video)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – More than 500 animals have been rescued by SeaWorld Orlando this year alone, including one of the newest lucky ones: a 3-week-old, orphaned manatee calf.

The female calf was brought to SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue and rehabilitation facility about a week ago by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 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-SeaWorld-580-5
The female calf was brought to SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue and rehabilitation facility about a week ago by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) after being rescued in the Tomoka River behind a residential home in Ormond Beach. (SeaWorld Image)