Mote Marine: We’ve had TWO manatee rescues in ONE week!

This week, biologists from Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program were called upon by MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife to respond to a call about a manatee in a residential canal connected to nearby Philippi Creek. Upon arrival, the team noticed signs of cold stress, and also that the animal did not have a way to exit the canal. Given that the water was about 67 degrees Fahrenheit, below the threshold for manatees, a rescue was deemed necessary! This manatee is a subadult female, a little over 6 feet long. The manatee was safely netted onto the shore and headed for ZooTampa at Lowry Park’s David A Straz, Jr Manatee Critical Care Center.

Two days later, Mote biologists respond to a manatee in Whitaker Bayou near downtown Sarasota. The manatee also showed signs of cold stress, and again FWC and Mote worked together to capture the manatee and transport it to ZooTampa for rehabilitation.

We are thankful for the incredible partnerships we have that make these rescues possible. Send these two beautiful manatees your well wishes!