A manatee now called Southpaw is recovering at SeaWorld Orlando after veterinary teams amputated her right flipper, which had been caught in a crab trap. Her rescue began with a couple in Titusville who noticed something was wrong.
In September, Good Samaritans spotted the animal struggling against heavy debris in the Indian River Lagoon near Titusville. Waterfront resident Terry Morse saw the entangled manatee and quickly contacted state wildlife officials, sending photos as evidence. "If it doesn't look right, doesn't look normal to you, then question it," Morse said.
Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded and took the distressed animal straight to SeaWorld's rehabilitation facility. She has been receiving lifesaving care there since, including treatment to remove the crab trap from her right flipper.
Veterinary surgeons were unable to save the damaged limb. The specialist team did succeed in freeing her from the commercial gear, and she survived. Mallorie McCormack, a senior zoological specialist at SeaWorld, said, "They were able to remove that line."
Southpaw still needs further care. She is being given medicine and monitored to ensure she gains weight.
Morse, along with family and friends, visited the park on Wednesday to check on the patient. "I feel very honored to be a part of her, a little part of her journey back to a second chance," Morse said.
Losing a flipper is not expected to hold the manatee back. According to the report, Southpaw should make a full recovery and will be releasable.
Caregivers have not yet set a date for returning her to coastal waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has the final say on such releases.
