A manatee named Fonzie has returned to the waters of the Port of the Islands eight months after being rescued with severe injuries that left him unable to submerge. In March, the sea cow was first spotted by Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Adventures , a charter company operating out of the Port of the Islands Marina.
"We watched him, took pictures, and sent them to FWC. In the meantime, we kept up with Fonzie and made sure he was safe when we were on the water. We do a small part in helping with FWC, and they're the ones that do everything. They're the heroes," said Allyn Vito, owner of the charter company.
The manatee showed signs of a propeller cut and a punctured lung and was observed floating on the surface and unable to dive, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission .
“This one was first sighted on March 5 with a linear watercraft line injury and was positively buoyant ... We got a rescue team out here on the 11th and were able to capture it with our boat-based net system," said Alexandria Kendall, a manatee biologist with FWC.
Once rescued, Fonzie was transported to ZooTampa , where he underwent months of rehabilitation. On Wednesday, the now-healthy manatee was released back into the same canal where he was first found.
“To release him in the exact same place where they took him out — it’s really cool and really special,” said Vito.
If you see a sick or injured manatee in the waterways of Southwest Florida, take a picture and contact FWC.