A distressed eight-foot female manatee was found floating unusually in a Cape Coral backyard canal after a couple's dog alerted them. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and local deputies responded and used a tarp and nearly a dozen people to lift the animal from the water.
The manatee, which had a punctured lung, was transported to Zoo Tampa for critical care. Authorities urge anyone who finds an injured manatee to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline.
A distressed eight-foot female manatee was rescued from a Cape Coral backyard canal after a local couple's dog alerted them to the animal's unusual behavior. The Taylors watched the manatee float with much of her body out of the water for roughly 30 minutes before contacting authorities.
What Happened
Kelly and Matt Taylor say their 7-year-old Pomsky began barking unexpectedly, drawing them to the canal behind their home. The couple observed the manatee remaining mostly immobile and repeatedly breaching — coming partly out of the water — only going fully underwater about once every 30 minutes.
Rescue Response
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) had been searching for an injured eight-foot manatee since Dec. 14 and responded after the Taylors called. FWC staff, joined by local sheriff's deputies, launched a coordinated rescue operation. Nearly a dozen responders used a tarp to carefully lift the animal from the water and move her to a waiting transport.
"I felt sorry for her," Kelly told reporters as crews worked to remove the manatee from the canal. "She was hurt, so hopefully they'll rehab her, and she'll be just fine."
Treatment and Condition
Officials determined the manatee had sustained a punctured lung and rushed her to Zoo Tampa, where she was taken into critical care. The FWC and veterinary teams will evaluate her injuries and determine next steps for rehabilitation.
About Florida Manatees
The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee and typically inhabits coastal waters, rivers and springs. These roughly 1,000-pound marine mammals propel themselves with an up-and-down tail motion and can reach short bursts of up to 15 mph, although they often linger near the surface or rest on the bottom for long periods.
If you encounter an injured manatee in Florida, contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
