Manatees rescued from Orange River in Lee County recovering at SeaWorld

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Two manatees rescued from the Orange River in Lee County are now being treated at SeaWorld Orlando.

Gulf Coast News asked for an update after the mother and calf were found distressed and rescued on Jan. 25.

As part of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, they were initially taken to ZooTampa. The pair was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando for further treatment.

SeaWorld reported that the mother was observed swimming sideways, a potential sign of a medical issue. They're focused on stabilizing her and diagnosing the underlying cause.

"Mom is currently getting some antibiotics, and we’re working off her preliminary bloodwork, so eventually she will be up coming very soon, getting some radiographs and getting some more bloodwork done and continuing on in her treatment plan," said Veronica Veara, SeaWorld Orlando's Senior Zoological Specialist.

Veara said the calf appears to be doing well and remains by its mother's side during her treatment.

"Baby came with mom because we never separate mom and calf," Veara said.

They plan to keep the animals together with the goal of returning them to the wild once they are healthy.

Rescue specialists say more manatee rescues could be coming, as they often increase one to two weeks after cold snaps when animals show signs of cold stress or other health complications.

The FWC has reported that at least 25 dead manatees have been pulled from the Orange River and surrounding areas over the last few weeks. The FWC says the likely cause of death for most of them has been cold stress.

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