A 410-pound (186-kilogram) manatee that became trapped in a Florida storm drain after seeking warmer waters is now recovering at SeaWorld Orlando following a large-scale rescue operation.
The male marine mammal was found ensnared in a bethel box—part of the storm drain system—in Melbourne Beach on Tuesday. A multi-agency team, including fire rescue units, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the University of Florida, and Jack's Wrecker Service, worked together to extract the distressed creature.
The manatee was first noticed by a surveyor working on improvements to the storm drain, according to Melbourne Beach Vice Mayor Terry Cronin. The animal was transported to SeaWorld Orlando, where it is being cared for in a medical pool. Spokesperson Stephanie Bechara confirmed that the manatee is breathing on its own, moving independently, and showing interest in food. Staff are adjusting water levels to support its buoyancy and comfort.
The protected species is still recovering from a mass starvation event that began in 2021, when more than 1,100 manatee deaths were recorded, mostly due to starvation. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, deaths have fallen significantly, with 565 recorded in 2024 and 555 in 2023.
SeaWorld Orlando rescued 56 manatees last year and has taken in seven so far this year. The facility aims to stabilise and rehabilitate rescued manatees before returning them to the wild.
