Manatee rescued after being trapped inside storm drain under road in Melbourne Beach

MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. – An adult manatee that became stuck inside a storm drain under a Melbourne Beach roadway has been rescued following an hours-long operation, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

Local, state, and federal agencies worked with other animal rescue groups to determine how to best help the sea cow. 

What we know:

Shortly before 6 p.m., road crews began methodically breaking away concrete and digging through several feet of dirt before reaching a “baffle box,” in which the animal had become trapped. 

The structure is designed to collect debris from runoff before it enters the Indian River. Authorities believe the manatee swam up the storm drain to seek warmth during last week’s cold snap that brought subfreezing temperatures to the region.

Crews accessed the baffle box and secured the manatee with straps before lifting it to safety and moving it to a transport truck.

What we don’t know:

In a brief statement, the FWC said the manatee appeared to be active and was not showing any obvious signs of cold stress. However, its overall health condition is not known. Authorities said the animal would be transported to SeaWorld for rehabilitation for further care.

What they’re saying:

Melbourne Beach Town Commissioner and Vice Mayor Terry Cronin said the animal was discovered during inspection of the stormwater system. A surveyor spotted the manatee inside the “baffle box,” he explained.

“The thought is that the manatee was seeking warmer water during that cold snap and went up the pipe from the Indian River and got stuck,” Cronin said. “And so, if we weren’t doing the stormwater survey we would never have known that the animal was in there. So it’s very serendipitous.”

Cronin praised the coordinated effort to free the endangered sea mammal, noting involvement from the town, Brevard County officials, Florida wildlife officials, SeaWorld veterinarians, and local fire departments. 

The town held an emergency meeting to approve funding to repair any road damage caused by the rescue operation. Cronin said traffic will be rerouted if necessary. Manatees are an endangered species, and Cronin emphasized the importance of the rescue. 

“I just hope and pray that they are able to help this animal,” he said. 

What is cold stress?

Dig deeper:

Cold stress is a potentially deadly condition for manatees. It happens when manatees have prolonged exposure to cold water. It causes their body to lose body heat and can impair digestion, according to the FWC.

Manatees thrive in water that is warmer than 68 degrees. When it gets cold, they often head to areas with warm water, such as springs or power plant discharge sites, the FWC.

Manatees suffering from cold stress may have bleach spots on their skin, abscesses, unhealed sores, appear underweight, or be covered in barnacles or algae.

What you can do:

Manatees are a protected species. It’s illegal to feed, disturb, or harm them.

If you see a hurt, sick, distressed, or dead manatee, you need to report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922 (1-888-404-FWCC).