SeaWorld has issued a statement regarding the 1,000th manatee rescued through the SeaWorld Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.
SeaWorld Orlando has reached a historic milestone (1,000 manatee rescue) that tells us a key step in the ongoing battle to protect this vulnerable species. This achievement highlights SeaWorld’s leadership in marine conservation and reinforces its important role in rescue, rehabilitation and return efforts.
SeaWorld Orlando has spent nearly 50 years protecting and rescuing the Marines. Since 1976, Sea World Orlando’s dedicated rescue team has operated one of the nation’s three critical care facilities in response to manatees who are struggling due to cold stress, boat strikes, entanglement and other life-threatening conditions. Sea World Orlando facilities have gained a reputation as a leading centre for manatee rehabilitation with cutting-edge resources, including temperature-controlled recovery pools, diagnostic equipment and a specialized team of veterinarians and experts.
Through the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), SeaWorld Orlando will work with federal, state and non-profit organizations to rescue, rehabilitate and release manatees and strengthen conservation efforts across Florida. This coordinated effort will play a key role in addressing the challenges facing manatees and conserving healthy ecosystems in Florida waters. In 2024 alone, Sea World Orlando was able to rescue 61 manatees and rehabilitate and return 38 manatees.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, SeaWorld Orlando is committed to educating the public on manatee conservation through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as well as other community outreach efforts. The facility’s teams continue to work to raise public awareness of safe boating practices, environmental management, and actions that individuals can take to protect manatees.
“Congratulations to SeaWorld on the 1,000th Manatee Rescue, an incredible milestone highlighting its important role in securing the future of Florida manatees,” said Terry Calson, Florida Manatee recovery lead. “SeaWorld consistently goes up, often caring for more than 40 manatees at once and leads rescues outside of Florida. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is deeply grateful for its partnership with SeaWorld Orlando in promoting manatee conservation through rescue, rehabilitation and the return of hundreds of manatees back in the wild.”
The testimony of the life-saving work being carried out at Seaworld Orlando was the rescue and rehabilitation of mother-daughter manatee pair Reckless and Churro. Reckless, rescued in 2022, suffered a catastrophic boat strike that smashed his shoulders and put him in danger. Her newborn calf, Churro, was only a day or two before the rescue. With over 20 months of intensive care, the Seaworld Orlando team of expert veterinarians has performed 12 life-saving procedures and provided over 17,000 hours of specialized care to allow the pair to return to normality to their natural habitat. Their stories highlight the extraordinary efforts SeaWorld Orlando has made to wear to save individual animals while contributing to the long-term survival of the species.
“Reaching 1,000 manatee rescues is an incredible achievement, reflecting decades of dedication from our expert rescue team who have dedicated their careers to ensuring the survival of Florida’s manatee population.” “The support of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation partnership has contributed to our efforts. Together, we are moving towards securing a future for these gentle giants.”
“Manatees are an iconic part of Florida’s ecosystem and we are honored to play an important role in their conservation. We rescue, rehabilitate and hopefully we will not only save individual lives, but also encourage our guests to protect these amazing creatures.
As SeaWorld Orlando celebrates this groundbreaking achievement, everyone is encouraging rescuers to help protect manatees by keeping water in mind, reporting distressed and filamentous animals, and spreading awareness of manatee conservation.
Seaworld’s animal rescue heritage spans over 60 years. Meanwhile, SeaWorld’s rescue team has supported more than 41,000 sick, injured and orphan animals, giving them a second chance in their life. This is not possible without the continued support of partner institutions, park guests, pass members, dedicated team members, and people around the world taking action to protect these amazing animals and their habitats. SeaWorld’s rescue teams call 24/7 in 365 to rescue and assist animals in need of care.
For more information on how to support SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue operations and missions, visit SeaWorld.com.
