A manatee affected by red tide was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and is on its way to recovery at the Miami Seaquarium, veterinarians said Wednesday.
Breve the manatee _ who was named after the brevetoxin in red tide _ was suffering from temporary paralysis, weakness and involuntary twitching movements when she was rescued.
The estimated 900-pound, eight-foot manatee was brought to the Seaquarium shortly after her rescue for treatment say marine park officials.
Veterinarian Dr. Maya Rodriguez says Breve is in the rehabilitation pool under close supervision and was responding very well to treatment.
The manatee was scheduled to receive a health assessment early Wednesday morning and weight verification with the help of a crane.
They are also treating two turtles affected by red tide but are reported to be doing better also.
According to Seaquarium officials, red tide in Florida are caused by annual blooms of the algae dinoflagellate Karenia brevis.
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"Ride tide is not so common here on the Atlantic coast, but it is very common in the Gulf coast," said Cristina Rodriguez of the Miami Seaquarium.
The State of Florida continuously monitors for Karenia brevis, which produces nerve toxins known as brevetoxins that can cause serious public health effects and significant animal deaths, Rodriguez said.
