A mother manatee and her calf that were rescued from Ormond Beach in May were returned to the wild Friday.

  • Mother, calf manatee released after 2-month rehablitation
  • Seaworld Animal Rescue Team returned them to Halifax River
  • Both manatees are in healthy condition

The SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team released the two manatees after a nearly two-month rehabilitation from a boat injury. The manatee pair was returned near Tomoka State Park in Volusia County.

Upon examination in May, the manatee mother was suffering from air being trapped inside her body.

SeaWorld’s veterinary team designed a “manatee wetsuit” to help the manatee with floating and allowed the team to draw out trapped air and fluids. The healthy adult manatee now weighs 1,270 pounds.

As for the young calf, it intially came in weighing about 97 pounds and was unharmed from the boat. It still nursed from its mother, so it was critical that the pair remained together.