That's not construction work you see up there -- that's the amazing and dedicated Sea World Animal Rescue team loading up one of four Florida manatees that will be released back into the wild today.

And you can watch it while it's happening!

Just create a free account at Livestream via the above link, and you can watch while the team releases the now-rehabilitated mammals back into the hopefully safe waters. Here is the official information on the release:

On July 18th, watch live as SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team returns four manatees to the waters of Eddy Creek in Brevard County, Fla. The four manatees had been receiving care at SeaWorld Orlando for the past few months and have been medically cleared for their return on July 18. Each manatee has been fitted with a satellite tag. This tag allows the FWC to monitor the animals' movements to ensure their success. Helping in the release are Canaveral National Seashore and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission team members. All manatee rescue footage produced by SeaWorld under FWS Permit Number MA7701911. Stay connected on all SeaWorld happenings by "liking" us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/SeaWorld

Best of luck to the team and the manatees.

On September 1, 2012, a pod of 22 pilot whales stranded themselves on the beach at Avalon State Park in St. Lucie County. Tragically, 18 of the 22 died in the incident, which is still being investigated to determine what might have caused the mass beaching. But there is good news for four of the whales -- Sea World Orlando's conservation and rescue team has stepped in to try to save the lives of the young whales.

The four cetacian survivors were transported from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Rehabilitation Center early Wednesday morning (September 5); the arrived at Sea World Orlando in guarded condition and are being watched closely for any signs of illness or distress. Here's the official word from Sea World's Conservation Blog:

"On arrival at SeaWorld Orlando, the young whales were placed in a quarantine area. They will continue to receive round-the-clock care from SeaWorld’s veterinarians and animal rescue staff. The whales, ranging in size from 130 to 325 pounds, are still in guarded condition. One of the whales – a female – is so young her teeth have not yet developed. SeaWorld’s animal experts plan to tube-feed the three older whales until they are able to eat fish."

If the whales improve (fingers crossed!), it might be possible for them to join two other pilot whales that have been in Sea World's care since last year -- two females rescued from another mass stranding in the Florida Keys in May of 2011.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Animal Rescue Team is on call 24/7 to save and care for injured, orphaned or ill animals. They have saved more than 20,000 animals to date, with the majority of those animals successfully returned to the wild.

You've already heard about the incredible new attraction at SeaWorld, and if you're a 1-Year, 2-Year, or Platinum Annual Pass Member, things are about to get even better!

TurtleTrek, the two new gigantic natural habitats at SeaWorld featuring freshwater fish, manatees, over 1500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles, is getting ready to open to the public on April 27th. Many of the graceful manatees and amazing turtles were either born at or rescued by SeaWorld, and they're ready to strut their stuff in 3D and 360 degrees. From April 28th to May 2, TurtleTrek will open an hour early, at 8am, exclusively for Pass Members.

You'll be the first to experience this astonishing new pair of habitats, and all you need to do is arrive early and show your Pass! You'll also have the opportunity to purchase exclusive TurtleTrek Member commemorative pins (limit two per Pass Member per day) at a special price, with a portion of the proceeds going to the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

For more information about TurtleTrek, head on over to SeaWorldParks.com!

Photo courtesy of SeaWorldParks.com

Two baby hawksbill turtles are being cared for by SeaWorld Orlando, thanks to two different concerned people who found them on separate beaches. Although one was found at Melbourne Beach and the other in Cocoa Beach, they were both brought to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, who in turn brought them to SeaWorld for further examination and care.

The hatchlings are both about three weeks old and measure about 3 inches long. They're being kept in a temperature-controlled brooder for most of their time. They do get to spend time in the water, but they're also given lots of dry time so that they can rest and build their strength. Round-the-clock observation, feedings, and fluids are all being administered to the babies. Eventually, they'll be released into the wild, but for now, they're being cared for by a top-notch team of experts.

SeaWorld Orlando has already rescued ten turtles and released three into the wild. Hawksbill turtles are endangered due to both habitat degradation and human exploitation, and SeaWorld tries to make each rescue count. So far, things are looking pretty rosy for these little hatchlings, despite their rough start!

Photo courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando.

This spring, get up close and personal with famed wildlife expert Jack Hanna at Seaworld Orlando. March 24 and 25 will have two shows each (1:15pm and 3:15pm) on a first-come, first-seated basis. Jungle Jack and his various animal co-stars will put on an incredible and informative show for all in attendance.

But that's not all! Pass Members are invited to an exclusive Pass Member Breakfast with Jungle Jack, so that families can have an even closer look at the animals while dining on a delicious breakfast buffet at the Seafire Inn! Jack will answer questions about animals, conservation, and the natural world. Attendees will also get special reserved seating opportunities for the 1:15pm show. Pass Members and potential Pass Members can click here for booking information.

Photo courtesy of InsideSeaworld.com.

July 2010 saw more baby animal news in Sea World Parks. First, Busch Gardens welcomed the birth of their 7th Caribbean flamingo chick. The first hatched June 3, 2010, and the newest was born just this past Sunday, July 25, 2010. The babies are white and fluffy with downy feathers; they won't turn pink until they start enjoying their diet of cartenoid pigments, conveniently available in the shrimp and algae they eat every day. The chicks join a flock of 125 adult flamingos -- if you go see them at the park, keep your eye on the middle of the flock, which is where the babies tend to be kept by the protective adults.



Sister Park Sea World of Orlando is continued its efforts in the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in need when the rescued an abandoned baby manatee from the waters near Daytona Beach. The weeks-old female requires round-the-clock care from animal care specialists. Every three hours, she is bottle-fed nutrient-rich formula that will hopefully promote weight gain so this little girl can grow strong enough to eventually be returned to the wild. She is being weighed regularly and her progress is being carefully monitored. She is under constant care and her condition remains guarded. If the picture below is any indication (featuring Sea World Animal Care Specialist Jeff Braso), she's in extremely good hands.

Sea World Orlando is known for more than just shows, when it comes to animal welfare and conservation efforts. Recently, they had two fantastic landmark events occur. April 2010 saw the hatching of Tawny Frogmouth chicks -- six in total have hatched this year and all the babies are thriving. Tawny frogmouths had been nearing extinction, even in carefully-monitored zoo environments. Breeding programs were not as successful as had originally been hoped. Sea World decided to work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in order to create a program to sustain populations and encourage breeding. The program has been a success - in the past decade, Sea World has welcomed 24 chicks. The babies were initially hand-fed by trained aviculturists in order to make sure nothing went wrong but thanks to the program and the efforts of researchers, the newest chick was able to be raised by its parents -- check out the pic!



Sea World conservation efforts happen in the water, too. This past May, they rescued their 303rd sea turtle, a massive 270-lb male loggerhead. The turtle had been seen floating on his side for several days before Sea World aquarists got him to the rehabilitation center. He was emaciated and covered in barnacles; it has been assumed that his condition was caused by ingesting a foreign object. The big male was cleaned, treated with antibiotics, and checked with x-rays in case of internal injury. The Rehab Center is happy to report he eventually started eating on his own. They hope to release him back into the waters of the San Carlos Bay near Ft. Myers, FL, soon.