SeaWorld rescues mother-and-calf manatee pair

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - SeaWorld Rescue announced that on April 9th, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium transported a distressed mother manatee and her nursing calf from North Fort Myers to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation and care. 

They say that the pair was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) after the mother manatee ws observed floating and experiencing buoyancy issues.

Buoyancy issues can negatively impact a manatee's health, eating patterns, and the nursing of a dependent calf and if not corrected, can be life threatening. The condition is known as pneumothorax and they think it was potentially caused by the blunt force of a boat strike.

SeaWorld Rescue says that they believe the calf is estimated to be 1-year-old and although unharmed, is still nursing and dependent on its mother. It is important that the pair remain together as the calf continues to grow and learn from its mother.

So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team has rescued 30 manatees and returned 7.