After the charter plane carrying rehabilitated manatee, Holly arrived at Orlando International Airport, the ground crew quickly prepared her for transport to SeaWorld Orlando where she'll await her release slated for early 2011.
The package picked up by SeaWorld’s animal care experts at Orlando International Airport on Tuesday, November 2, was indeed precious cargo. It was Holly, a rehabilitated manatee, who was rescued in 1995, and has been rehabilitating at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for the past five years.
Holly was rescued 15 years ago after she was found trapped at the Port St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant on Hutchinson Island. When she arrived at SeaWorld she received hands-on, critical care for cold stress at SeaWorld’s Manatee Rehabilitation Facility. After six months, she was moved to Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park and then later transferred to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to complete her rehabilitation.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) is the Federal agency that creates plans for each manatee that is rescued and cared for in Florida and the surrounding states. In order to create space at SeaWorld Orlando for more critically injured manatees, USFWS moved Holly to a long-term rehabilitation facility.
SeaWorld Animal Care Assistant Curator Randy Runnells watches rehabilitated manatee Holly swim at the Manatee Rescue attraction at SeaWorld the day after she arrived back at the park. Holly was rescued 15 years ago and brought back to SeaWorld while she waits for her release slated for early 2011.
Holly is set to be returned to the wild in early 2011.
“Caring for Holly 15 years ago was extremely rewarding,” said Randy Runnells, SeaWorld Animal Care Assistant Curator. “It’s great to know the initial care we provided has helped her reach this point in her life. We’re looking forward to returning her back to the wild next year.”
SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to save injured, abandoned and orphaned animals, including manatees, dolphins, whales, birds and turtles. To date this year, the park has rescued 24 and released 16 manatees.
What a great story…who doesn’t love a manatee, they look so gentle and sweet. Thank you for sharing this for a feel good post about saving one of our fellow creatures.