FWC rescues manatee stranded at McDill AFB after Helene

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission team rescued a manatee that was stranded after high water levels receded following Hurricane Helene.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

On Saturday, FWC marine mammal rescue staff received a report from MacDill Airforce Base staff that a beached manatee had been discovered at the end of the main runway.

The male manatee appeared to be in decent condition, according to the rescue team.

Read: New Florida laws to take effect Oct. 1

The manatee was given a short work-up, tagged, and released at the base boat ramp.

A new release stated that the manatee got onto the base during the high water levels during Hurricane Helene but could not return to the Bay before the water receded.

FWC has also received reports of manatee strandings from high water in Largo, Spring Hill, Bayport, and Crystal River.

Staff is responding to the reports of these strandings; however, some areas remain impassable after Hurricane Helene.

Read: Hurricane Helene recovery: How you can help

If you encounter a stranded, injured, or dead manatee, please do not attempt to handle it call our Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

Manatees stranded by storms may need immediate medical attention from wildlife experts, according to FWC.

Read: Tropical Storm Kirk forms in Atlantic as another system could develop in Caribbean

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2024 Cox Media Group