ORLANDO, Fla. — A rehabilitated manatee named Lalo has been returned to the wild following months of veterinary care and surgical treatment for severe injuries caused by a boat strike.
Lalo was rescued on Feb. 27, 2025, from Hunter Spring Run in King’s Bay, Fla., in a joint effort by SeaWorld and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. At the time of her rescue, she was severely emaciated and suffering from injuries sustained in a watercraft collision.
Medical examinations and a CT scan identified spinal fractures and multiple bone fragments resulting from the boat strike. Veterinary surgeons successfully removed the bone fragments through a series of operations before transitioning Lalo to long-term rehabilitation.
SeaWorld Orlando animal care and veterinary teams monitored the manatee throughout her care. Representatives with SeaWorld Orlando detailed the rescue and initial surgical interventions.
“Lalo was rescued by SeaWorld and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Feb. 27, 2025, from Hunter Spring Run in King’s Bay. At the time of rescue, she was severely emaciated and suffering from healing watercraft-related injuries. Veterinary examinations revealed spinal fractures associated with a boat strike. A CT scan identified multiple bone fragments, which were successfully removed during a series of surgeries,” SeaWorld Orlando stated.
Following the surgeries, care personnel focused on restoring the animal’s health and physical strength. SeaWorld Orlando confirmed her recovery and subsequent return to native waters.
“Following months of specialized veterinary care and rehabilitation, Lalo made a full recovery and regained excellent body condition. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of SeaWorld’s animal care and veterinary teams, she was deemed healthy and strong enough to return to her natural habitat and was recently released back into the wild,” SeaWorld Orlando added.
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