Mother and calf manatees taken from Florida Keys to SeaWorld after a boat strike

David Goodhue
·1 min read

A female manatee was found with a serious boat-strike wound in the Florida Keys, and the mother and her calf were taken to SeaWorld Orlando to heal and be returned to the wild.

The pair were first spotted Monday in the bay behind the WorldWide Sportsman marina at mile marker 81.

Workers from two Florida Keys marine mammal groups — Dolphin Research Center and Aquarium Encounters — joined Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and biologists to round up the mother and calf.

An injured manatee and her calf swim in Florida Bay in Islamorada Monday, May 1, 2023. The mother was hit by a boat, according to marine mammal rescuers. Dolphin Research Center
An injured manatee and her calf swim in Florida Bay in Islamorada Monday, May 1, 2023. The mother was hit by a boat, according to marine mammal rescuers. Dolphin Research Center

The mother was hit so severely from the boat that escaped air from her lungs filled her body cavity and she could not submerge, said Allie Proskovec, Dolphin Research Center spokeswoman. The calf was not injured, but was taken to SeaWorld to be with Mom.

“As a result, the manatee was experiencing uncontrollable buoyancy, making her more susceptible to another boat strike,” Proskovec said in a statement.

A manatee rests on a Florida Key boat ramp after being removed from the water Monday, May 1, 2023. A mother and calf were taken from the Keys to SeaWorld in Orlando because the mother suffered a severe boat strike. Dolphin Research Center
A manatee rests on a Florida Key boat ramp after being removed from the water Monday, May 1, 2023. A mother and calf were taken from the Keys to SeaWorld in Orlando because the mother suffered a severe boat strike. Dolphin Research Center

Once the manatee was corralled and brought to land, DRC veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart checked her out and decided she needed more treatment at SeaWorld.

“She and her calf were transported to SeaWorld Orlando to receive necessary care,” Proskovec said.