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Injured mother manatee and calf rescued in Florida, taken to SeaWorld
Drone pilots guided rescuers to the manatees on the Orange River near Fort Myers.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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An injured mother manatee and her calf were rescued this week from a river in Florida and taken to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation, officials said. Drone pilots provided an aerial view to guide the rescuers' boat toward the manatees on the Orange River near Fort Myers, where the animals were pulled from the water and transported to the theme park.
Why it matters
Manatee rescues are critical to protect the endangered species, which face threats from cold stress, watercraft injuries, and malnutrition. This rescue is part of a broader effort by the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership to save manatees in Florida.
The details
The Lee County Sheriff's Office marine unit and advanced technology support unit assisted in the rescue, with video showing the boat circling the manatees and several people working to heave the large animals onto the boat. The mother and calf manatees were then transported to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation.
- The rescue took place on Wednesday, February 28, 2026.
The players
Lee County Sheriff's Office
The local law enforcement agency that assisted in the manatee rescue.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The state agency responsible for wildlife management, including manatee rescues and rehabilitation.
SeaWorld Orlando
The theme park where the injured mother manatee and calf were taken for rehabilitation.
What’s next
The mother and calf manatees will undergo rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando, with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild once they have recovered.
The takeaway
This rescue highlights the ongoing efforts to protect the endangered manatee population in Florida, which face a variety of threats to their health and wellbeing. The collaboration between law enforcement, wildlife agencies, and rehabilitation centers is crucial for saving these iconic marine mammals.
