When the SeaWorld team returns a manatee to the wild -- as they did on Feb. 9 in North Palm Beach, Fla. -- what do they do? What does it take?
Turns out the process involves dozens of people with different backgrounds and it's a bit more complicated than you'd think. And each step works to help save manatees in the wild.
SeaWorld's rescue team is on call 24/7 to care for orphaned, injured or ill animals. The team works hard to rehabilitate each animal -- with plenty of TLC -- and ultimately, return them to the wild.
"Holly" was rescued by SeaWorld Orlando's manatee team in 1995 after she was found entangled at a Florida power plant. When she was rescued, Holly was only six feet long and about 250 pounds. Nearly 16 years later, she's grown to 11 feet in length and almost 2,000 pounds. After hands-on care at SeaWorld, she was moved to Homosassa Springs and later to the Columbus Zoo. In late 2010, she returned to SeaWorld to prepare for her recent release.
Let's take a look at what went into her return to the wild.
Early morning, the SeaWorld team does a series of tests and measurements. These all are done to make sure that if Holly is found again, rescuers and experts know her background, her "stats" and details about her. The tests include sonograms to determine the amolunt of "back fat," measurements at specific areas of her body and her weight.
Above... Here, the team checks Holly's "PIT" tags, two microchips placed below the skin. The chips can be read with a scanner and contain information unique to Holly. All manatee rescuers have the scanners and the PIT tags are always placed in the same location on each manatee. In the middle picture, Bob Wagoner (L) helps to measure Holly. On the right, a blood tests are taken. You can learn more about SeaWorld's rescue programs at http://www.SeaWorldCares.com
Above, biologists from Sea to Shore also check Holly's backfat using a sonogram. The information could be used to determine how Holly's health has changed if she's rescued or found again. Extensive records are kept. Below, Melody (R) and Monica (R) tighten the harness for Holly's transponder.
Below, this is the harness that goes around Holly's tail.
Above ... Holly was fitted with a harness that pulls a buoy containing a GPS transmitter. The harness itself (the orange hoop) contains VHF transmitters so that if the buoy falls off, she still can be tracked. The harness is created in such a way that after a period of time, it corrodes and falls off. It's also designed to break away so it doesn't snag on anything in the water.
Learn more about how these transponders are used here.
In Florida, the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) and Sea to Shore keep track of manatees. What you should you do if you spot a manatee that's in distress? Don't approach the animal, but note where it is and its condition and quickly call 888.404.FWCC (3922).
Below ... the buoy containing the GPS transmitter. It looks heavy, but is actually rather light (about 5 pounds) and is streamlined to not cause drag. The picture on the right shows "if found" information. Recognize the telephone number? It's to the FWC and is also the number to call if you spot a manatee in distress.
Below ... the team moves Holly out of the pool. The sling also contains a scale and Holly weighed in at nearly 2,000 pounds.
Below ... the team -- and Holly -- arrive at North West Palm Beach. It took a few dozen people to carry Holly just a few feet to the water. At almost 2,000 pounds, it was a lot of manatee. In the picture on the right, you can see someone holding the buoy-end of the harness and how it straps to her body.
Holly was released in an area frequented by other manatees and by following them, she'll learn where the grass beds are.
Below ... Holly with Pigpen, a young manatee that was in the Miami Seaquarium's care and released at the same time as Holly. Quickly, they got together and swam away.
