Manatees Rescued After Being Displaced by Hurricane Hermine

When Hurricane Hermine hit Florida’s Gulf Coast earlier this month, heavy rains produced flooding and caused several manatees to be displaced in a pond on a golf course in Crystal River.

The manatees were first reported to the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) on September 2, 2016 and their condition and food supply was subsequently assessed as relocation plans were developed. Those plans were put into action today as the FWC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and other partners rescued seven manatees from a pond at the Plantation on Crystal River.

Two of the manatees were a mother-calf pair. Once the manatees were moved out of the pond, they received health assessments before being released back into the wild. The combined efforts of the FWC and other local, state and federal partners to rescue manatees, collect valuable data and establish important protections have produced positive results in manatee conservation.

Pictures From the Ground

(Images & Video: Florida Fish and Wildlife)

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