Fort Myers, Florida- a mother manatee injured and her calf were rescued this week from a river in Florida and taken to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation, authorities said.
Drone pilots provided rescuers with an aerial view, guiding their boat toward the manatees Wednesday and then buzzing overhead to document the animals pulled from the Orange River near Fort Meyers.
A video shared by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office shows how the boat carrying members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission first makes a wide circle around the sea cows to corral them in what looks like a fishing net.
In the end, half a dozen people manage to get the manatees onto the boat, sliding the mother and calf across the open stern and onto the slippery deck. Sea cows can measure 3 meters and weigh 544 kilos.
The video shows how at least one manatee is later unloaded in a sling at a boat ramp. The sheriff’s marine unit and advanced technology support unit provided assistance. Officials did not have details about how the mother manatee was injured or her current conditions.
The manatees were transported to SeaWorld Orlando, according to the wildlife agency’s Director of Investigative Communications, Kelly Richmond.
The mother and calf are among at least six manatees rescued in the county since Feb. 19 due to cold stress, boat injuries and malnutrition. Statewide, at least 24 other manatees have been rescued this year, and more than 20 rehabilitated animals have been released through the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership.
This story was translated from English to Spanish with an artificial intelligence tool and was reviewed by an editor before publication.