February 13, 2009

North Palm Beach, FL - Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) rescued an approximately 500-pound, 6-foot-long, juvenile male manatee this morning from a pond in a private golf club in North Palm Beach.  Staff from the Loggerhead Marinelife Center assisted in the rescue.

Photo by Gabriella Ferraro

The manatee was able to access the pond by traveling through a culvert system. It had been in the pond for at least one day before it was rescued. The manatee showed signs of cold-stress and appeared thin. 

Because of these health concerns, biologists and veterinarians determined the manatee should not be released, but instead, should be transported to Miami Seaquarium, which houses a manatee rehabilitation facility. Miami Seaquarium has successfully rehabilitated dozens of injured and ill manatees over the years.   

"Out of caution, we felt we should take the manatee in for a check-up," said FWRI biologist Tom Reinert. "With rehabilitation and monitoring, we’re giving this manatee the best chance for survival." 

The goal is to return the manatee to the wild soon. For more information on manatee research, visit research.MyFWC.com/manatees.