Manatee Rescued from Storm Drain in Florida

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Brevard County Fire Rescue, and other agencies worked together to rescue an adult male manatee that had become trapped inside a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Florida. The manatee, nicknamed "Melby" by rescuers, was discovered by chance during a survey of the storm drain system and was successfully lifted out using a tow truck. The manatee was taken to SeaWorld Orlando for veterinary care and rehabilitation, though its overall health status was not immediately clear.

Why it matters

Manatees are a protected species in Florida, and incidents of them becoming trapped or stranded are taken seriously by local authorities and wildlife agencies. This rescue operation highlights the collaborative efforts required to safely free a large marine mammal from an urban drainage system, as well as the importance of monitoring and maintaining infrastructure to prevent such entrapments.

The details

According to Melbourne Beach Vice Mayor Terry Cronin, the manatee was discovered by chance by surveyors working on improvements to the storm drain system. The manatee, believed to have entered the drain in search of warmer water during a cold snap, had become stuck inside what is known as a "bethel box" - a concrete structure that is part of the drainage system. Rescuers drilled into the road and lifted a concrete slab to create an opening large enough to lift the manatee out using a tow truck. The adult male manatee, described as active during the rescue, was then transported to SeaWorld Orlando for further evaluation and rehabilitation.

• The manatee was discovered on Monday, February 10, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The rescued manatee, named Melby, will undergo a full veterinary evaluation and rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando to assess its overall health and condition before being released back into the wild.