- November 28, 2024
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Manatees are a constant in Nichole Dominguez's backyard, which sits on a canal connected to the Tomoka River. She frequently saw a mother and calf floating up and down the river.
While she and most of her neighbors are careful not to harm or disturb the gentle giants with their boats, accidents still happen. On May 9, the mother manatee was reported injured to the Volusia County Marine Stranding Team, who assisted in the rescue of her and her calf, who was too young to sustain life on its own.
According to Debbie Wingfield, of the stranding team, the animals were taken to Seaworld's Manatee Rescue Center that just opened in April. A press release from the center states that 10-foot-2-inch manatee mother was experiencing severe buoyancy issues, which could negatively impact her health, eating patterns and the nursing of her calf.
Due to the impact scar on the adult manatee’s back, it is presumed that she was struck by a watercraft. This caused her to suffer from a pneumothorax, meaning air was trapped inside her body cavity, so SeaWorld’s veterinary team placed the manatee in a wetsuit to stabilize her buoyancy issue, and the air was removed.
Currently, the manatee is no longer in the wetsuit and has been seen swimming more upright. Although showing signs of progress, the care team still is keeping her on watch to ensure there are no broken bones or any other internal damage.
The mother’s young calf came in weighing approximately 97 pounds and still nursing from its mother. The calf has not left its mother’s side and has continued to nurse consistently throughout the rehabilitation process. The calf has also begun to take an interest in eating solid foods, which is a sign of good health.
There is no date set yet, but the end goal is to return the manatee and calf to the Tomoka River.
