Rehabilitated Manatee Paprika Sighted Near Winter Haven With Calf

CLEARWATER, FL — Seriously injured after being struck by a boat in the spring, a manatee named Paprika was discovered floating on the surface of the St. Johns River at Blue Springs State Park near Welaka Springs.

The boat strike injury had caused her lung to collapse, restricting her ability to submerge and swim underwater to feed on seagrass beds. So, on March 16, she was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with the help of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Volusia County Environmental Management and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Rushed to SeaWorld Orlando's manatee rehabilitation center, Paprika underwent two months of critical care. While under care, veterinarians at the center discovered she was pregnant.

As soon as her injury healed, the 10-foot, 1,395-pound manatee was released into Lake Beresford in Orange City, Volusia County, which connects to the St. Johns River, so she could give birth in her natural environment.

Prior to her release, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute outfitted Paprika with a GPS satellite tag as part of the federal and state North Atlantic Coast manatee study to assess manatee movement and habitat due to the Unusual Mortality Event impacting manatees in Florida.

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Last week, Paprika's tag began malfunctioning, so the Clearwater team was sent out to do repair it and do an assessment on Paprika. They found her with what appears to be her 2-week old manatee calf.

In the two months since her release, Paprika has made her way about 95 miles southwest to Lake Woodruff and then Lake Dexter in Winter Haven using a series of tributaries that connect to the St. Johns River.

The team will soon check on Paprika and her calf again, so they update their progress.

Those interested can view Paprika's manatee tracking map and follow her journey here.