Manatee Rescue in Florida

This week, a mother manatee and her calf were rescued from a river in Florida and taken to SeaWorld Orlando for treatment, according to officials.

A drone pilot played a crucial role by capturing aerial footage that helped guide the rescue team to the manatees in the Orange River near Fort Myers.

A video from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office shows wildlife officials circling the manatees with a boat and using fishing nets to gently guide them into a safe area.

Eventually, a team of about six people managed to lift the mother manatee onto the boat, sliding both animals into the open stern and onto the slippery deck. Just a side note, manatees can grow to around 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,200 pounds, which is, well, quite substantial.

Footage captures the moment when one of the manatees was carefully lowered at a boat ramp using a sling. The Sheriff’s Marine Unit along with the Advanced Technology Support Unit were involved in the rescue. However, there hasn’t been any update on how the mother was injured or what her current health status is.

Kelly Richmond, the director of research and public affairs for the wildlife agency, confirmed that the mother and her calf were moved to SeaWorld Orlando for care.

It’s worth mentioning that they are part of a larger trend; since February 19, at least six manatees have been rescued in the county alone due to various issues like cold stress, injuries from watercraft, and malnutrition. Across Florida, at least 24 manatees have been rescued this year, with over 20 of them rehabilitated and released back into the wild through the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership.

Not too long ago, another manatee had to be rescued from a storm drain on Melbourne Beach while looking for warmer waters.