A manatee named Lantana is back swimming in Southwest Florida waters thanks to a dedicated rescue team and concerned citizens.
On Wednesday morning, teams from SeaWorld and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) released Lantana the manatee back into the water near the D and D Bait and Tackle shop in Matlacha.
Dozens of people gathered to watch as the 10-person crew lifted the 6.9-foot, 600-pound manatee off the truck and released her back into the water.
"It was cool to see," said Doug Root, part-owner of D and D Bait and Tackle shop. "It seemed like a lot of people might not have been from this area watching, so it was cool for them to come here and see this is kind of how Florida is."
Wildlife officials found Lantana in April in Alligator Creek in Charlotte County, after receiving a report that the manatee was thin and having flotation issues. SeaWorld officials took her in, and after months of rehabilitation, they say she made a remarkable recovery.
Root reminded boaters to be careful in these waters and to call FWC if they see a manatee in distress. A spokesperson noted that SeaWorld's Orlando Animal Rescue team has aided 41,000 sick, injured, or orphaned animals.