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4 manatees released in central Florida

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — Members of SeaWorld Orlando's animal rescue team have returned four manatees to the Indian River Lagoon in central Florida after months of medical rehabilitation.

Two large vans, each carrying two manatees, arrived near Playalinda Beach Thursday morning.

The sea cows were lined up on the shoreline before being released together along the Canaveral National Seashore near Kennedy Space Center.

Three of the four female manatees were rescued on separate dates in December after getting stuck in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. They were treated for mild cold stress.

The fourth manatee was rescued in March and treated for propeller wounds.