Largo, United States - October 20, 2024

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida's serene landscapes turned into unexpected havens for wildlife, leading to an extraordinary rescue mission by the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute team. Over a dozen manatees found themselves displaced, with one notable rescue site being a cemetery pond in Largo, Florida, where four of these gentle giants were trapped post-storm surge.

The team, along with their partners, sprang into action at the Serenity Fueling Home, a location not typically associated with wildlife rescues. The manatees had wandered into the pond system during high water levels caused by Hurricane Helene. Once the waters receded, they were left stranded, separated from their natural habitats.

Video footage from the scene showed the manatees, seemingly unharmed, grazing on vegetation within the pond. However, their presence was unsustainable due to the lack of warm water, a critical need as the weather cools. The rescue operation was meticulously planned to ensure the manatees' safety during extraction and relocation.

"We're finishing up the last one right now, and then we're gonna release it at the Bel Air Causeway Boat Ramp," stated a team member, highlighting the culmination of a day filled with careful handling and processing of the animals. The four manatees, two males and two females, all adults and in good health, were weighed, measured, and prepared for their journey back to the open waters.