410-Pound Manatee Freed From Florida Storm Drain

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 410-pound manatee that became trapped in a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Florida, after seeking warmth during an unusually cold winter has been successfully rescued, according to authorities. Brevard County Fire Rescue and several other agencies and organizations worked together for multiple hours to free the large marine mammal.

Why it matters

Manatees are a protected species in Florida, and incidents of them becoming trapped or stranded are not uncommon, especially during colder weather when they may seek refuge in warmer waters. This rescue highlights the collaborative efforts required to safely free a distressed manatee and the importance of protecting these vulnerable animals.

The details

The manatee had crawled into the storm drain in Melbourne Beach, likely seeking warmth from the unusually cold Florida temperatures. Rescue teams from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sea World, and other organizations worked together for several hours to carefully extract the 410-pound animal from the drain.

• The manatee became trapped in the storm drain during an unseasonably cold Florida winter.