Largest manatee rescue organization in the
world performs an unprecedented dozen lifesaving procedures on a
single manatee despite expectedly fatal injuries
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ORLANDO,
Fla., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
SeaWorld Orlando successfully returned Reckless and Churro, a
mother and calf manatee duo, to Broward
County in Florida after
more than a year of incredible rehabilitation at its Rescue Center.
The rehabilitation work included 12 lifesaving procedures and more
than 17,000 hours of specialized care.
Reckless and Churro were rescued in Florida in May
2022 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) and SeaWorld after Reckless suffered a
catastrophic boat strike. That strike left her with a shattered
shoulder and exposure of deep muscle and tissue that put her in
critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Her calf,
Churro, had fresh umbilical cord attached when she came in with her
mother, and she appeared to be no more than 1-2 days old.
Over the last 20 extensive months and through 12 lifesaving
procedures, the SeaWorld veterinary team took extraordinary
measures to keep Reckless and Churro together, ensuring the
continuation of the parent-child bond necessary for an eventual
joint-return to their natural habitat. Given Reckless' extensive
injuries, the mother-daughter pair required over 17,000 hours of
specialized care to keep them both healthy throughout the intensive
rehabilitation process. Staying with mom was critical for Churro's
development as manatee calves depend on their mothers for nutrition
and to learn survival skills such as finding food, avoiding
predators, and seeking out warm water areas during cold-stunned
season.
"Reckless had a very poor prognosis upon arrival at SeaWorld,
but it was clear from the beginning that the mother and calf pair
were fighters, and our veterinary team was determined to give them
another shot at life," said Dr. Stacy
DiRocco, senior veterinarian at SeaWorld Orlando. "Our
extensive veterinary care for Reckless included amputation of her
pectoral flipper, multiple surgeries to battle infection and
promote healing, radiographs, cold laser therapy, gastroscopy and
intensive medical care to stabilize and overcome her injuries – and
she proved resilient through it all."
Reckless and Churro were fitted with a unique tracking belt to
ensure their continued health in their natural habitat. This intel
is critical given that manatee populations continue to diminish to
dangerously low levels as a result of an unusual mortality event
(UME).
"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has
an unwavering commitment to manatee conservation," said
Andy Garrett, Statewide Manatee
Stranding Coordinator at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC). "SeaWorld Orlando's successful rehabilitation of
Reckless and Churro enables two healthy female manatees to return
to the wild. This partnership and collaboration play a crucial role
in achieving this important conservation goal."
SeaWorld Orlando has the largest manatee rescue operation in the
U.S., and one of only three critical care centers. The Rescue
Center can care for up to 60 manatees at a time, giving it the
largest capacity in the state of Florida and in the U.S. Its facilities
have a wide range of critical care amenities including lifting
floors, top-of-the-line therapeutic and diagnostic equipment, and
expert veterinary staff to rehabilitate manatees in need. SeaWorld
continues to help amidst the ongoing unusual mortality event (UME),
coming to the aid of more than 1,300 manatees in peril to date.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo
and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating
and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life.
Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and
enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and
year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed
rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment.
For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of
marine life in and outside its parks through science, education,
and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American
Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and
Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is
one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world,
helping more than 40,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation
Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided
more than $20 million to nearly 1,400
organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A
portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding
conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San
Antonio, San Diego and
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(UAE). SeaWorld is part of the SeaWorld Entertainment (NYSE:SEAS)
portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at
SeaWorld.com.
CONTACT
mediarelations@seaworld.com
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SOURCE SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment