From Melby to 43,000 rescues and counting | Melbourne

ORLANDO — As you may remember, Melby the manatee was rescued from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach by the SeaWorld Rescue Team in February before being successfully released back into the wild in April.

While the community rallied together during Melby’s rescue, his story is just one example of how agencies, residents and the SeaWorld Rescue Team continue working together to help animals in need. Following Melby’s rescue, the team went on to surpass a major milestone, helping more than 43,000 injured, sick and orphaned animals, underscoring the ongoing need for wildlife rescue and conservation efforts.

In the first few months of 2026, SeaWorld Rescue teams in Florida provided medical assistance and rehabilitation to 21 manatees and a baby dolphin, along with nearly 40 turtles/reptiles and several birds. SeaWorld Orlando has the largest manatee rescue operation in the U.S. and one of only five critical care centers in the U.S. Its five-acre rescue center can care for up to 60 manatees at a time.

Early in May, SeaWorld Rescue in San Diego rescued six birds, along with a young, orphaned California sea lion pup that was found on the back stairs of a beach house in Carlsbad, California.

Upon assessment and intake at the SeaWorld Rescue Center, the almost one-year-old female pup was emaciated and dehydrated. The sea lion pup is being provided fluids and formula as she’s learning to eat fish on her own. The team continues to monitor her and she has been placed with other sea lion pups.

SeaWorld rescue teams, located in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, are on call 24×7, 365 days a year. The more than 43,000 animals rescued span diverse species such as aquatic birds, pinnipeds, turtles, manatees, whales, dolphins, otters and a wide range of other mammals and fish.

Every rescue is done in coordination with the appropriate local, state and national officials, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

At SeaWorld San Diego, in the first five months of the year, the team has rescued more than 40 pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), a dolphin and nearly 150 birds.

“Our rescue teams, like all of our zoological professionals, are made up of compassionate and skilled animal care specialists who devote countless hours to helping animals in need,” said Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer at United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld’s parent company. “Rescue and rehabilitation can save the lives of individual animals, and in some cases supports the preservation of endangered and threatened species, like the Florida manatee. That is why we do this work and why it is so important for accredited zoos and aquariums like ours to continue efforts to help animals that cannot survive on their own.”

SeaWorld has passionately dedicated time, energy, and resources to help a wide range of animal species since its first rescue of a beached Dall’s porpoise in 1965. SeaWorld is a professionally accredited zoo and one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world. A portion of proceeds from SeaWorld tickets and in park purchases goes toward funding rescue and rehabilitation.

The Rescue Tour at SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Center offers guests a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work happening every day to help injured and orphaned wildlife.

Depending on what animals are currently in rehabilitation, visitors may catch a glimpse of veterinary procedures, rescued birds recovering in rehabilitation areas or sea turtles receiving specialized care before they are eventually returned to the wild.

The experience also includes a close look at one of SeaWorld’s specially designed rescue boats, giving guests a better understanding of how rescue teams safely reach and transport large marine animals in need. From the equipment onboard to the thoughtful design of the vessels, the tour highlights the level of preparation and teamwork involved in wildlife rescue efforts across Florida and beyond.

SeaWorld pass members also receive a discount on the tour, making it an even more accessible way to experience the rescue and rehabilitation work up close.

SeaWorld’s goal is always to return rescued animals to their natural environments. However, certain health conditions can make survival without human care unlikely or impossible. In those instances, wildlife authorities determine whether an animal can be returned and if not, zoos and aquariums like SeaWorld provide long-term care and permanent homes.

Providing long-term care to nonreturnable animals enables guests in the parks to learn more about the specific challenges they faced in the wild.

For more information, visit SeaWorld for the latest summer details and information.