Two manatees that have been cared for at SeaWorld Orlando since 2010 and 2013 were returned to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City Tuesday.
The adult male, Sarge, was originally rescued due to cold-stress by The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Nov. 6, 2013 from Green Cove Springs, Fla. and transported to SeaWorld Orlando, where he received months of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team returned Sarge along with a female manatee, Pixie. She was originally rescued in 2010 by the FWC as an orphaned calf, and received care at SeaWorld Orlando, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.
She was returned in 2014, and subsequently rescued for further conditioning.
So far in 2015, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued three and returned one manatee back to its natural environment.
If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at (888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.