Video: Mother and baby manatee rescued in Cape Coral canal after boat strike

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

The Cape Coral Police Department helped the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescue two manatees Wednesday.

A mother manatee was hit by a propeller 20-22 times, and her baby would not leave, so both had to be rescued, police said. Officer Wolfe with CCPD was apart of the rescue efforts.

It took nearly a dozen people on FWC's Marine Mammal Rescue boat to rescue the manatees.

This rescue comes after at least 25 dead manatees were reported in Lee County between Feb. 13 and Feb. 18, possibly due to cold stress, according to FWC.

FWC also said that its crews and partners rescued six manatees in Lee County from Feb. 19 to Feb. 26 after responding to reports of the animals showing signs of cold stress, watercraft injuries and malnutrition.

If you encounter a manatee that is sick, injured or deceased, you can report it to FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline by dialing 888-404-FWCC (3922).

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