Ep 22. Something in the Water

In Sea Rescue season 5 episode 22, titled "Something in the Water," viewers are taken through another harrowing rescue mission by the SeaWorld animal rescue team. The episode starts off with the team receiving an emergency call about a stranded manatee in St. Augustine, Florida. In typical SeaWorld fashion, the team leaps into action, preparing their rescue vessel, equipment and heading out to the site.

As they arrive, they quickly assess the situation and notice that the manatee looks severely injured. The team determines that the manatee has a large object stuck in her mouth, which is preventing her from feeding properly. The manatee is in dire need of intervention, as if the team doesn't remove the object; she could end up dying of starvation.

The SeaWorld team, led by rescue coordinator Jaimie Winters, first has to safely net the manatee and transport her to a temporary holding pool. After the manatee is safely restrained, they inject her with a sedative and start working on her mouth. This moment is especially tense for the team, as they don't want to cause any further damage to the injured creature.

After a few tense moments, the team manages to remove the object from the manatee's mouth. The large lump was a clump of fishing line and debris, which had lodged itself inside her soft tropical mouth flesh. As the line was pulled out, the team breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing the level of damage caused and the color of the tissue surrounding the object, it was clear that the animal was likely unable to eat for days. This left her very weak and emaciated. However, the manatee was placed onto a covered stretcher to protect it from additional stressors and was taken to SeaWorld Orlando for further treatment and rehabilitation.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to know the various SeaWorld team members and their deep passion for animal rescue work. The team shares their experiences of what goes on behind the scenes in some of their toughest and most emotional situations. Additionally, they discuss the dangers of littering on the ocean floor. They urge viewers to help protect marine life by properly disposing of their trash, particularly plastic bags and fishing line.

Through all the rescue missions on Sea Rescue, what becomes very clear is the special bond the SeaWorld team has with these amazing animals. This episode isn't just about rescuing a manatee; it's about preserving a piece of natural beauty that we, as a society, take for granted. Watching the SeaWorld team tirelessly work to save the manatee from a terrible situation and seeing that triumphant moment off the coast days later, is a powerful testament to the strength and will of Mother Nature and the indelible connection we humans have with our environment.