The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team is caring for a rescued manatee and Kemp's Ridley sea turtle.
The female manatee was rescued Wednesday in Jacksonville from the St. Johns River by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and transported to SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld said prior to her rescue, the 290-pound, 6-foot-long manatee exhibited signs of dehydration and cold stress as a result of cooler water temperatures in the area. Manatees can become cold stressed when waters are colder than 68 degrees.
Upon arrival at SeaWorld Orlando, the manatee was given a brief physical exam, a blood sample was taken, and fluids were administered. Antibiotics were also given to treat possible infection. The Animal Rescue Team will continue to give her around-the-clock attention, including close observation and nutritional support.
So far this year, the SeaWorld Orlando Team has rescued and returned nine manatees.
On Thursday the SeaWorld Orlando Aquarium Team received a critically endangered, juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. The sea turtle was rescued by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS) from Satellite Beach and brought to SeaWorld Orlando. The sea turtle joins 69 other rescued Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that the Aquarium Team has been caring for since last week after they were rescued during unseasonably cold weather in coastal Massachusetts.
The SeaWorld Aquarium Team has rescued 112 sea turtles and returned 24 this year alone.
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.