An orphaned manatee has been returned to Florida waters more than three years after she was rescued.

SeaWorld Orlando's Rescue Team returned the manatee known as Blanche to the waters off Port St. John, Florida on Tuesday. Blanche was the sixth rehabilitated manatee SeaWorld has returned to the wild this year.

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Blanche was believed to be only two weeks old when she was found in 2014 in the Indian River. She weighed only 48 pounds. She required round-the-clock care and got regular bottle feedings.

She weighed 775 pounds when she was released.

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Yemaya Lyles (right) wipes away tears during a news conference in front of the Rockdale County Public Schools administration building on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Lyles' son, Antonio, was assaulted by a paraprofessional, who has since been fired and charged with battery. Lyles says her case against the school district has dragged on since then. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2023)

Credit: Miguel Martinez