Multi-Agency Team Extracts Juvenile Manatee from Florida Storm Drain

A complex, hours-long rescue operation in Florida concluded with the successful extrication of a juvenile manatee weighing nearly 410 pounds from a storm drain baffle box. The seven-foot-long male animal was reportedly seeking thermal refuge from unseasonably cold water temperatures, highlighting the dangers these marine mammals face during cold weather events.

The discovery was made by personnel from Haley Ward, Inc. during a routine environmental assessment, which immediately triggered a coordinated response involving multiple agencies. Participating entities included the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) Stations 48 and 64, Indialantic Fire Rescue, Melbourne Beach Fire Department, Public Works, and Jack's Wrecker Service. The extraction required physically invasive measures, including drilling into the roadway and cutting asphalt to enlarge the confined space for safe removal.

The successful operation benefited from a recent large-animal rescue training session completed by BCFR crews, allowing for the immediate application of practiced skills. Following its removal, the manatee was transferred to the SeaWorld Rescue Center for specialized care. Initial evaluations by the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), the research arm of the FWC, indicated the animal was underweight and exhibited several open wounds on its tail and flippers. However, a positive indicator emerged quickly as the manatee showed an interest in consuming food during its first night under professional supervision.

Manatees are highly susceptible to cold stress when water temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which can lead to fatal outcomes due to their limited insulating blubber. During cold snaps, the animals migrate toward warmer refuges, such as natural springs maintaining a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit or artificial sources like power plant discharges. The FWC strongly advises the public to report any sick, injured, or entrapped manatees immediately via their 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline to facilitate rapid intervention.

SeaWorld Orlando's Rescue Center routinely partners with governmental bodies like the FWC to provide critical care, utilizing specialized pools with hydraulic lifts essential for treating injuries often sustained from boat strikes or cold stress. The swift action in this entrapment case, initiated by the report from Haley Ward, Inc., underscores the vital connection between public vigilance and the successful rehabilitation of these vulnerable marine mammals for their return to Florida habitats.