Nov 13, 2008 5:40 pm US/Eastern
Rescued Baby Manatee Aids Manatee Awareness Month
Orphan Baby Manatee Kiandra Rehabilitates At Miami Seaquarium
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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File image of a Florida manatee
CBS4 News
An orphaned baby manatee, rescued from Key Largo this summer and currently being rehabilitated at the
Miami Seaquarium, has become a poster child of sorts for "Manatee Awareness Month."
"Manatee Awareness Month" begins November 15th, the time of year when manatees usually start returning to Florida's warm water winter refuges.
"Baby Kiandra" was brought to the Seaquarium on Father's Day, June 15th, 2008. She was severely dehydrated, weighed 65 pounds and measured 3 feet. The baby was immediately bottle fed and received around the clock care to monitor her recovery.
"Kiandra was a very unique baby. She took the bottle right away. It usually takes a few days to get the babies to bottle feed. She was that dehydrated," said Dr. Maya Menchaca Rodriguez, Miami Seaquarium veterinarian.
After a few months of bottle feeding, "baby Kiandra" was introduced to solid foods and is currently responding well to her mixed milk and solid food diet. She's also been placed in the company of 3 older female manatees, two of which have been recorded spontaneously lactating. The Miami Seaquarium is the first facility to document spontaneous lactation in manatees.
Manatee Juliet, one of the older female manatees, has served as a surrogate mother for baby Kiandra, as she has for many other orphans.
It's hoped Kiandra will be reintroduced to her natural environment in the future.
In an effort to create awareness and raise funds for protected Florida manatees like Kiandra, Miami Seaquarium launched the promotion, Change for a Change this month. Manatee lovers can deposit their spare change at any Bank of America nationwide and help the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). Donors will also receive $7.50 off their next visit to Miami Seaquarium.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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