SeaWorld Orlando is celebrating Manatee Awareness Month with an important milestone. The park’s Rescue Team has successfully returned its 42nd rehabilitated manatee of 2025, highlighting a year filled with major rescue wins and renewed reminders for Floridians to help protect the Sunshine State’s most iconic gentle giants.
The latest return, a 675-pound male named Barber, overcame a life-threatening boat strike injury. Rescued near Barber Bridge, the manatee was discovered floating unevenly with his right side lifted out of the water, a clear sign of internal trauma that prevented him from diving and feeding properly. After being transported to the SeaWorld Rescue Center, veterinary and zoological teams immediately began critical care, treating his wounds and stabilizing his buoyancy.
According to Senior Zoological Specialist Mallorie McCormick, watching Barber make his way back into his natural habitat is the heart of their mission. She shared that rehabilitating boat strike injuries requires constant monitoring and coordination across SeaWorld’s rescue, veterinary, and lab teams. In just eight weeks, Barber regained full function and gained more than 150 pounds, making him strong enough to return home…