FWC rescues young manatee from chilly waters
News Release
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Media contact: Carli Segelson, 727-896-8626
Biologists with the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and
Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) rescued a young male manatee in
St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
The 7-foot juvenile manatee was thin and showed
signs of cold stress. This condition, which can result in death,
occurs as a result of exposure to water temperatures below 68
degrees for long periods of time. Biologists also were concerned
that the manatee was far from any warm-water sites, where manatees
typically go to seek refuge from cold water temperatures. Because
of these factors, biologists determined that the young manatee
should be pulled from the chilly waters of Bayboro Harbor.
The rescue took place just outside the FWRI
headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. Biologists learned of the
cold-stressed manatee when a concerned resident reported it.
After the rescue, biologists transported the
manatee to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for rehabilitation.
To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the
FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
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