After 3-1/2 months of rehabilitation, a juvenile male manatee was returned to the Florida Keys on Feb. 3 by Dolphin Research Center (DRC), Miami Seaquarium and Florida Keys Aquarium Encounter (FKAE). The DRC’s Manatee Rescue Team along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), FKAE and local residents rescued the manatee on Oct. 19, 2021 at Big Pine Key Resort. The manatee had been observed with buoyancy issues and was unable to stay submerged. Later named “Waterbear,” he was transported to Miami Seaquarium where it was confirmed that he was suffering gastrointestinal issues. After his initial treatment, he was transported to SeaWorld to complete his rehabilitation. Now healthy, it was time to bring him home. At his release, he weighed 395 pounds and measured approximately 6 feet, 8 inches in length. The group carefully carried him on a stretcher down a boat ramp and cheered when he swam away. Pictured, from left: Dolphin Research Center’s Josie Koren, Adam Kane and Ryan Webster. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER/Contributed.
