The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team have returned a male manatee by the name of Streak back to the same waters it was rescued from. The manatee was rescued 28th December 2014, from Blue Springs State Park in Florida by the SeaWorld team and members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Following his rescue due to cold stress, Streak was immediately transported to SeaWorld Orlando for acute care and rehabilitation. He underwent routine supportive care, including: blood work, radiographs, treatment for wounds and lesions, antibiotics, and also received fluids for rehydration. Streak began to eat very quickly on his own. Throughout his rehabilitation period, Streak jumped from 299kg to approximately 345kg.
The animal happened to be released on Manatee Appreciation Day, although celebrated daily by the SeaWorld Animal Care Team. So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 24 and returned 26 manatees back to their natural environment. This is part of SeaWorld’s continuous efforts to help conserve wildlife and do its part in supporting this endangered species.
About SeaWorld’s Rescue Program
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 and rehabilitate marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld rescue team has helped more than 25,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
About the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)
As part of the MRP, SeaWorld Orlando is an acute care rehabilitation facility that provides life-saving medical care to rescued manatees. The MRP is a cooperative group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities who work together to monitor the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees. Information about manatees currently being tracked is available at manateerescue.org.
The endangered Florida manatee is at risk from both natural and man-made 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 flood gates or locks, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear.
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