APOLLO BEACH, Fla. — The first manatee rescued in North Carolina was successfully rehabilitated and released in warmer waters at Apollo Beach. 

The sea cow, named Pamlico, was spotted in two North Carolina rivers following its original sighting in shallow waters back at the end of October. Rescuers saved her as she was affected by low temperatures in the area and an injury from a boat.

Crews from SeaWorld, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and various partners from North Carolina found Pamlico and rescued her in mid-November.

She was released at TECO in Apollo Beach, known for its warm waters since it’s close to a power plant. A video shows numerous rescuers helping hoist her into her new home.

There is also a Manatee Viewing Center there for those wishing to see the friendly giants at that location.

The best chance of seeing them is from Nov. 15 to March 31 when the water temperatures are cooler. 

The state’s manatee population has been moving toward the Apollo Beach waters as dropping coastal temperatures have hit the Tampa Bay area. Manatees have been attracted to warm-water discharges for decades, following a watery travel route that mother manatees have taught to manatee calves.

Recently, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided not to reclassify the docile creatures as endangered, despite ongoing high mortality rates caused by starvation, boat strikes and habitat loss.

The manatee was downgraded from endangered to threatened in 2017 and will remain in that classification.

The Associated Press and 10 Tampa Bay’s Eric Glasser contributed to this report.