An orphaned manatee calf was rescued yesterday afternoon by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and then transported to SeaWorld Orlando late yesterday for rehabilitation and long-term care. The young calf was spotted swimming alone by a private citizen prior to its rescue from Sykes Creek in Merritt Island, Fla.

After months of rehabilitation, SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team returned a total of 16 sea turtles to their ocean home this week. Of these sea turtles, 15 were rescued Dec. 14, 2012, off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass., as part of a massive rescue of animals suffering from cold stress.

Animals at SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica Florida don't celebrate the Oscars like people do, but if they did here are a few nominees we'd be sure to see...

On August 7, 2012, the Brevard County Sheriff's office responded to a report of a possible dead body in the Indian River Lagoon. However, when officers arrived on the scene, they discovered a loggerhead sea turtle, instead. Due to his unique discovery, he earned the name “Lazarus: The Presumed Dead Loggerhead."

SeaWorld Orlando's Animal Rescue Team returned a manatee to the St. Johns River in Blue Spring State Park this morning. First, he was prepared to be transported from SeaWorld Orlando where he had been rehabilitating.

Earlier this week on January 8, a team of marine animal rescue experts - from National Marine Fisheries Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and our very own SeaWorld Orlando – worked together to free a dolphin that had been tangled in fishing line in the Banana River, located near Cape Canaveral, Fla.

As we enter into a new year, it’s inspiring to look back and reflect on all that was accomplished the year before. Here at SeaWorld Orlando, a large part of what makes us who we are is the incredible animal rescue, rehabilitation and return efforts that happen on a daily basis.

From tiny newborn turtle hatchlings to manatees weighing more than half a ton, we’ve had the extraordinary privilege to care for some amazing animals and then return them to their natural environment, which is always our goal.

It is that special time of year again where everyone takes a moment to reflect back and think of what they are most thankful for. In our case, the animals that we care for surely make the top of the list! We are most thankful to have the opportunity to care for animals both within and outside our park. Of course, we can’t forget all of the passionate and dedicated people who make it all possible.