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<\/p>\nThe Saturday before Mother\u2019s Day, May 9, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Stranding Biologist Jess Blackburn, along with Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol Officer Michael Skinner, responded to a call to Mote\u2019s 24\/7 Stranding Investigations Program hotline (888-345-2335) about a distressed manatee near Harbor Towers Yacht & Racquet Club on Siesta Key. The manatee was exhibiting abnormal behavior, including not being able to dive properly. Upon arriving at the scene, Blackburn realized the manatee was the same individual she had received calls about and searched for the day before, and quickly contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to begin to stage a rescue effort for the manatee.<\/p>\n
\u201cImmediately, I noticed that the manatee was listing to one side, and had both healed and fresh boat strike wounds,\u201d said Blackburn. \u201cThose kinds of wounds likely caused air to be trapped in the manatee\u2019s chest cavity, making it difficult for the animal to submerge efficiently. Given the busy area and heavy boat traffic, we knew it would be very difficult for her to avoid any other potential boat collisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Mote\u2019s initial response, FWC led the rescue effort, as additional trained responders from Mote, Sarasota Police Department, and Sarasota County Sheriff\u2019s Office descended upon the scene to assist the manatee. A crowd gathered on the shoreline to watch the action. The manatee was safely netted onto a boat and transferred into a transport truck\u2013\u2014no small feat with a nearly 1,700-pound animal\u2014headed for rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando, one of four critical care facilities for manatees in the state of Florida and a member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP).<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe Sarasota Police Department Marine Patrol officers as well as other patrol officers have an ongoing partnership with Mote\u2019s Stranding Investigations team,\u201d said Sarasota Police Officer Michael Skinner. \u201cOver the weekend, we were called to assist with an injured manatee along with our partners at Mote, FWC and the Sarasota County Sheriff\u2019s Office. We all work together on the road and on the water. We hate to see injured wildlife in our waterways but we\u2019re hoping this team effort was enough to help give this manatee a second chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an amazing opportunity to rescue, along with partners from Mote, FWC law enforcement, Sarasota Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff\u2019s Office, an expectant mother manatee on Mother\u2019s Day weekend,\u201d said Denise Boyd, Marine Mammal Research Associate at FWC\u2019s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. \u201cThey are being taken care of by the animal care team at SeaWorld Orlando, and we are hopeful for a successful outcome. This rescue highlights the partnerships that are critical in manatee conservation efforts. Please remember to wear polarized glasses and be on the lookout for manatees while boating. Please report dead or distressed marine mammals to allow trained experts to respond.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the veterinarian exam at SeaWorld Orlando, the animal was found to be pregnant. On Tuesday, May 11, the manatee gave birth to a healthy calf. SeaWorld Orlando\u2019s rehabilitation team continues to monitor both mother and calf around the clock. The mother manatee is being treated for her injuries, and although stable, she is still in critical condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter getting the call, our team reacted quickly to accept this manatee into our care and our team of veterinarians at the SeaWorld Manatee Rehabilitation Center is providing around the clock surveillance,\u201d said Jon Peterson, Vice President Zoological Operations, SeaWorld Orlando. \u201cOur facility is only one of four in Florida designated for critical care of manatees and we work tirelessly with the goal of rehabilitating and returning rescued manatees to the wild.\u201d The mother is is the 17th manatee to be treated at SeaWorld in 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the good days. When all of our partners come together, from our city, county, and state law enforcement officers, to the FWC stranding biologists that led the rescue, to the SeaWorld Orlando team now caring for her and her calf, it is our stranding network at its finest,\u201d said Gretchen Lovewell, Manager of Mote\u2019s Stranding Investigations Program. \u201cI also want to thank the members of the public that reported the animal. Please, always remember to call us for any distressed or deceased marine mammal or sea turtle in the Sarasota and Manatee County area, and FWC throughout the rest of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
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About Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium<\/strong><\/p>\n
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, based in Sarasota, Florida, has conducted marine research since its founding as a small, one-room laboratory in 1955. Since then, Mote has grown to encompass more than 20 research and conservation programs that span the spectrum of marine science: sustainable aquaculture systems designed to alleviate growing pressures on wild fish populations; red tide research that works to inform the public and mitigate the adverse effects of red tide with innovative technologies; marine animal science, conservation and rehabilitation programs dedicated to the protection of animals such as sea turtles, manatees and dolphins; and much more. Mote Aquarium, accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is open 365 days per year. Learn more at\u00a0mote.org\u00a0or connect with @motemarinelab\u00a0on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.<\/p>\n
About Sarasota Police Department<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Sarasota Police Department utilizes a proactive, intelligence led law enforcement strategy to prevent and reduce crime.\u00a0 Our mission: Professional, dedicated police service in partnership with our community. \u00a0For more information about our department, visit www.sarasotapd.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n
About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company. Visit\u00a0www.seaworldentertainment.com<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"