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Melbourne Village Today
By the People, for the People
Rehabbed Manatee Melby Gets Sweet Sendoff in Photo of the Week
Melby, a juvenile manatee rescued from a Melbourne Beach storm drain, was released back into Florida waters on April 10.
Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:03am
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A community's joyful celebration of a manatee's return to the wild underscores the importance of protecting Florida's endangered marine species.Melbourne Village TodayA heartwarming moment was captured in a Photo of the Week as a juvenile male manatee named Melby, who was rescued from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Florida, was released back into the wild on April 10. Over 100 people showed up to cheer on Melby and bid him farewell, including a woman who stopped to share a final goodbye with the manatee before he was carried to the water.
Why it matters
Manatee rescues and rehabilitation efforts are important for protecting this vulnerable marine species, which is threatened by boat strikes, habitat loss, and other human impacts. The community's enthusiastic support for Melby's return to the wild highlights the public's interest in and concern for manatee conservation.
The details
Melby, a juvenile male manatee, was rescued in February after being found trapped in a storm drain in Melbourne Beach. He was taken to SeaWorld for rehabilitation before being released back into the wild at Ballard Park in Melbourne on April 10. Over 100 people, including the author/illustrator of a children's book about Melby's rescue, showed up to cheer on the manatee and bid him farewell as he was carried to the water. A FLORIDA TODAY photojournalist captured a touching moment of a woman stopping to share a final goodbye with Melby before his release.
- Melby was rescued from a Melbourne Beach storm drain in February 2026.
- Melby was released back into the wild at Ballard Park in Melbourne on April 10, 2026.
The players
Melby
A juvenile male manatee who was rescued from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Florida, and rehabilitated at SeaWorld before being released back into the wild.
Tim Shortt
A FLORIDA TODAY visual photojournalist who captured the Photo of the Week showing a woman bidding farewell to Melby before his release.
What they’re saying
“It was a heartwarming atmosphere of people carrying signs, cheering him, and even the author/illustrator of a children's book about his rescue.”
— Tim Shortt, FLORIDA TODAY photojournalist
The takeaway
Melby's rescue and release back into the wild is a heartwarming example of the community's commitment to protecting vulnerable marine species like manatees, which face numerous threats from human activity. The enthusiastic sendoff Melby received shows the public's deep interest in and support for manatee conservation efforts.
