On Thursday July, 18th, SeaWorld Orlando returned 4 rescued manatees simultaneously back into the wild. Three of the manatees were rescued due to cold stress, and the 4th manatee was suffering from buoyancy issues when she was brought to SeaWorld. So far this year, SeaWorld has rescued 13 manatees and the return of these 4 manatees is an important milestone for the rescue and rehabilitation efforts for SeaWorld Orlando this year.

MiceChat was invited to attend the return of these animals to the wild at the National Seashore just a few miles from the Kennedy Space Center.

SeaWorld and Florida Wildlife Conservation were on the scene in the early hours prepping the site where the manatees would be returning to the wild.

Soon, SeaWorld Animal Rescue transport vehicles were onsite and preparing to return the manatees.

The Manatees were carefully lifted by hand out of the vehicles. Once lowered, the Manatees were measured, tagged and given one final check by SeaWorld’s Animal care team. After each manatee was given the final clean bill of health by the Animal Care team, it was time to finally say goodbye.

Teams of people carefully lifted eased the manatees into the water, and once in, they quickly took to their home and swam away. While a bitter sweet goodbye for the Animal Rescue and Animal Care team members who have been working with these animals for the past months, everyone was happy to see them return home.

After a final check, all four manatees were released into the water.

SeaWorld has rescued over 22,000 animals over the past 40 years. and of the 13 manatees rescued by SeaWorld so far this year 7 have now been returned to the wild.

For more animal rescue stories, along with more SeaWorld news rumors, and update, click play below to listen to the latest episode of the Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast.

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