SeaWorld Orlando caring for orphaned Manatee

This week SeaWorld animal care specialists are currently providing 24-hour care for a baby manatee. Orphaned by her mother, the female calf arrived at the park’s rehabilitation center on July 24th after being rescued from the waters of Daytona Beach. Every three hours the 3½-foot and 41-pound orphan is bottled-fed with the park’s nutrient-rich baby formula that promotes weight gain. Her weight is taken every other day as animal care specialists closely monitor her progress. She remains in guarded condition and park veterinarians hope to eventually return her back to the wild.

The animal was transported to SeaWorld by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. SeaWorld is the global leader in the rescue and rehabilitation of manatees. The park’s Animal Rescue Team is on call 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.

Manatees are such precious animals. Makes you wonder why it was abandoned by the mother though.

Oh gosh how adorable hope it makes it :)

oh my goodness, the baby manatee is absolutely adorable! I love manatees anyway but don't think I've ever seen a baby in person.

Sea World really does some wonderful rescue work. Keeps me from being overly critical of their animal "shows."

Lets hope this little one survives and can be returned to the wild. That might be tricky. Who would teach it how to be a manatee? :unsure: