Recently, “Barber” the manatee became the 42nd rehabilitated manatee this year to be released back into his natural habitat by SeaWorld Orlando’s Rescue team.
With the help of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Brevard Zoo, Barber was released at Round Island Riverside Park in Vero Beach in September, looking a lot better than when he was found.
The then-675-lb gentle giant was found floating unevenly near the Merrill P. Barber Bridge in Indian River County, the victim of a boat strike, according to a release from SeaWorld Orlando. Because of the damage, he couldn’t control his buoyancy or dive to feed properly…