• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Disney contributes to successful rehabilitation and release of manatee

March 7, 2022
dvm360 Staff

Plantaina is 1 of 6 manatees to complete rehabilitation at Walt Disney World Resort over the last year, promoting the survival of this endangered species.

Walt Disney World Resort animal care experts helped the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with the successful release of Plantaina—a young female manatee—at Blue Spring State Park, approximately 50 miles northeast of Walt Disney World Resort.

According to a company release, Plantaina was rescued when she was under 1 week old near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after she appeared to be abandoned. As a 680-pound manatee today, she was only 28 pounds at that time, making her the smallest manatee ever rescued. After a successful initial rehab, Plantaina was released back into the wild in February 2021, though she was found to be losing weight. This required another rescue and rehabilitation before arriving at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.

"Manatees are an iconic species in Florida, and their conservation impacts all of us," said Scott Terrell, DVM, director of animal & science operations at Walt Disney World Resort, in the release. "Caring for these amazing creatures benefits all of the animals that live in their coastal habitats and the human communities around them."

As part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, Disney teams up with other rehabilitation facilities and its animal care experts offer ill and injured manatees a stable, controlled environment required to recover and prepare for release. The manatees receive exceptional veterinary care (ie, preventive health exams, a calorie-rich diet, and 24/7 monitoring) to help them return to the wild in good health. Plantaina is 1 of 6 manatees to finish rehabilitation at Walt Disney World Resort over the last year, according to the release.

Some manatees, including Plantaina, are assigned a satellite tracker when released to help experts monitor the animal's health, migration, and socialization. These satellite trackers are created to break away if they become entangled to prioritize the manatee's health.

Advertisement

Manatee rescues and rehabilitations are becoming more prevalent in Florida. A significant lack of food is continuing to threaten this endangered species as runoff and pollution continue limiting the availability of seagrass, their main food source, which manatees can eat up to 300 pounds daily, according to the release.

To help restore the seagrass and offer care for the manatees, the Disney Conservation Fund provided donations to more than 15 nonprofit organizations to improve understanding of manatee populations, biology, and habitat use.

Reference

Disney assists with successful rehabilitation and release of manatee. Walt Disney World. March 4, 2022. Accessed March 7, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disney-assists-with-successful-rehabilitation-and-release-of-manatee-301496142.html

Related Content:

Exotic Animal Medicine
Jaguar undergoes anesthesia to determine cause of appetite loss
Jaguar undergoes anesthesia to determine cause of appetite loss
Oldest tortoise at Houston Zoo becomes father to 3 hatchlings
Oldest tortoise at Houston Zoo becomes father to 3 hatchlings
Senior penguins receive revolutionary cataract surgery
Senior penguins receive revolutionary cataract surgery

Advertisement

Latest News

Traditional and holistic treatments for giardia

ASU trustees approve the creation of a new veterinary school

6 tips for first-time dog owners

Must-read articles for National Puppy Day

View More Latest News
Advertisement