Manatee Rescued from Storm Drain in Florida
A manatee, which became trapped in a storm drain in Florida while looking for warmer waters, is now recuperating at SeaWorld Orlando following an extensive rescue operation.
On Tuesday, various fire and rescue units, along with teams from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida, arrived to help the 410-pound sea cow in Melbourne Beach. The city’s Deputy Mayor, Terry Cronin, mentioned to a local station that staff had alerted emergency teams after spotting the manatee.
“Our efforts to enhance stormwater drainage in Melbourne Beach led us to the site. One of our investigators noticed the manatee stuck in what’s referred to as a Bethel box,” Cronin explained.
The male manatee was transported to SeaWorld Orlando, where it is currently being treated in a medical pool, according to spokeswoman Stephanie Bechara.
“He is breathing on his own, moving well, and seems eager for food. We’re fine-tuning the water levels for his buoyancy and comfort,” Bechara noted.
Efforts are focused on stabilizing and rehabilitating the manatee with the goal of someday releasing it back into the wild. This species is still dealing with the aftermath of a significant famine event.
In recent years, manatee populations have faced severe challenges. In 2021, there were over 1,100 recorded manatee deaths, mainly due to starvation. However, the number of deaths has noticeably dropped, with 565 reported in 2024 and 555 in 2023.
Last year, SeaWorld Orlando rescued 56 manatees and has already adopted seven this year.
