Baby manatee, mother rescued after being stranded by Hurricane Hermine

CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — A manatee and its calf were rescued from a waterlogged marsh after getting stuck during Hurricane Hermine, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

Biologists and officers responded to the filtration marsh near the Crystal River in Citrus County after concerned residents reported the pair of manatees appeared to be trapped.

It took more than a dozen volunteers to lift the 1,500 pound mother and her 500 pound calf out of the marsh and onto a transport truck, FWC said.

The biologists examined the manatees and found they were in good health so the pair was released into the Crystal River.

Anyone who spots a sick, injured, stranded or dead manatee is asked to call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline, 888-404-3922.

Cox Media Group