From the News: Florida Sea World takes in manatees

The world is a white hot mess right about now.  It seems like every corner of the globe is currently being affected by one tragedy or another, whether geopolitical or climatic.  I had originally planned to type "man-made or natural", but these days the line between the two seems to be increasingly blurred.  Among the hazards our own country is currently dealing with is the deadly red tide plaguing the Gulf of Mexico.  Countless marine animals have been killed as a result, including several specimens of Florida's favorite aquatic zeppelin, the manatee.

The West Indian manatee is a massive beast with very specialized (read: expensive) care requirements.  As a result, only a select few institutions can provide rehabilitation care for them - when I visited Clearwater Marine Aquarium, I was told that, even in their newly expanded facility, they would be unable to accommodate manatees.  Among those that can take in manatees are a handful of zoos and aquariums - including SeaWorld.

As it happens, SeaWorld has currently treated a dozen manatees, some of which have succombed to the red tide, others are recovering to varying degrees.  To me, this exemplifies the best of zoos and aquariums.  There is no profit in taking in rehab manatees and nursing them back to health.  It represents an enormous expense, designated facilities, and a tremendous drain on staff time and resources.  It also happens to be the right thing to do, and one that almost no one else is in a position to help with.

Twelve manatees (and assorted sea turtles and other marine animals) may seem like a drop in the Gulf of Mexico when you consider the losses being suffered across the region.  For those twelve manatees, however, it means the actual world.  Any effort to successfully save these harmless, lovable sea cows and return them to the wild is to be congratulated and celebrated.  I would hope that even SeaWorld's harshest critics would be able to appreciate this job well done.

Photo Credit: SeaWorld Orlando