Rescue of juvenile manatee witnessed by fisherman in St. Pete

A fisherman in St. Petersburg watched a team rescue a lethargic juvenile manatee from Coffee Pot Bayou on March 24; the animal was taken to ZooTampa for rehabilitation and is receiving tube-fed nutrients.

A small, juvenile manatee was rescued in St. Petersburg this week after boaters and wildlife staff noticed it acting lethargic in Coffee Pot Bayou. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to reports on March 24 and removed the animal from shallow water. Observers, including fisherman Sam Wong, described a group who helped surround the manatee with a net and transfer it to a boat. The animal was taken to ZooTampa for rehabilitation. Known details: - The manatee was a small male about 6 feet long and was described by FWC as lethargic, underweight, and having lesions that were not healing properly. - The rescue took place at Coffee Pot Bayou on March 24 and, from the time FWC arrived, reportedly lasted around 30 minutes. - A crew of about eight people surrounded the manatee with a net, lifted it onto a boat, and transported it to Coffee Pot Park for transfer. - The juvenile manatee was taken to ZooTampa, was reported to weigh about 250 pounds, and is receiving tube-fed nutrients twice a day. - Fisherman Sam Wong witnessed and documented the rescue and said a crowd had gathered as staff worked to secure the animal. Summary: The rescue moved a lethargic juvenile manatee into professional care, where ZooTampa staff are providing feeding support and rehabilitation. Local observers and FWC personnel cooperated during the recovery and transport. Undetermined at this time.