Manatee rescued by FWC at Orange Harbor in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

A manatee rescue operation got underway at Orange Harbor in Lee County on Tuesday.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and multiple other agencies responded to the location to remove a manatee that appeared to be in distress.

At this time, it's unclear whether or not this was due to the cold weather. According to FWC, the manatee was taken to SeaWorld for recovery.

"The animal was emaciated, so it was very thin. It was floating on its side, and it was not able to dive down. So it is in transport," Denise Boyd, an assistant research scientist with FWC, said. "It needs to be assessed by a veterinarian on the cause of that animal's distress."

The cold temperatures across Florida's Gulf Coast have been an ongoing concern, as FWC stated at least 25 manatees were found dead in Lee County last week due to frigid temps.

FWC officials are investigating the extent to which an unexpected Florida Power and Light power plant shutdown might have been a factor in the sea cows' deaths.

Patrick Rose, the executive director of the "Save the Manatees Club," said there should have been quicker action when the power plant unexpectedly shut down.

"We really need to take a hard look at that because at 61 degrees, just, which is what they believe their requirements were, that's really too cold," Rose said. "And many manatees can already start to have cold stress problems at those temperatures. They really need temperatures at 68 or above."

Gulf Coast News reached out to FPL with multiple questions, including what triggered the shutdown and if permitting requirements were met.

FPL told Gulf Coast News reporter Madison Zaleski that they are working closely with FWC during this investigation.

Over the weekend, another manatee was rescued in the area of Hatchett Creek in Sarasota County.

According to the Venice Police Department, an injured manatee was exhibiting signs of cold stress lesions and visible scarring along its tail.

FWC biologists and staff from the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium helped VPD and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office with the rescue.

Marine units were able to safely remove the manatee, with assistance from Sea Tow Venice, and it was transported by Mote staff to the ZooTampa at Lowry Park for recovery and rehabilitation.

FWC advised anyone who comes across an injured, distressed, entangled or deceased manatee to report it to the agency's 24/7 Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

For more information on manatees and the Florida Manatee Program, click here to visit FWC's website.

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