Two Manatees Returned to Wild by SeaWorld Orlando

Two endangered Florida Manatees were given a second chance at life this week; after lengthly rehabilitations they were released back in to the wild.

The first manatee named Sarge was rescued in November of 2014 after being discovered to be suffering from Cold Stress. Sarge was transported to SeaWorld Orlando where he received emergency care, fluids, antibiotics and a safe warm home full of caring animal care specialists who oversaw his rehabilitation.

Along with Sarge’s release, a very special manatee named Pixie was returned to the wild.

Pixie was originally rescued in 2010 as a calf. Pixie was first cared for at SeaWorld Orlando, then by the Tampa Lowery Zoo and the Columbus Zoo. In 2014, Pixie was returned to the wild, but had to be rescued again shortly after that for further wild conditioning.

After additional conditioning, the animal care team at SeaWorld and the Florida Wildlife Commission are confident that Pixie is now ready to thrive on her own.

So far in 2015 SeaWorld Orlando has rescued three manatees and returned one to the wild.