Caught on Camera: Deputies rescue manatee mother and calf from Orange River

FORT MYERS, Fla.—The Lee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a rescue operation, pulling an injured manatee mother and her calf from the Orange River waters.

On Wednesday, deputies gathered to pull the two manatees from the waters after receiving distress reports. This operation follows another rescue on Tuesday, also from the Orange River, in which the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with the Lee County Sheriff's Office and ZooTampa, rescued and relocated a female manatee. 

Drone footage recorded by the sheriff’s office shows several deputies removing the animal from the waterway and preparing it for transport to SeaWorld Orlando. Both the mother and calf will be taken to SeaWorld Orlando for medical care.

WINK News will continue to contact the FWC, ZooTampa, and the sheriff’s office for more information on this rescue and updates on the manatee's medical condition.

Click here to watch the drone footage of the rescue, courtesy of the Lee County Sheriff's Office