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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A mother manatee and her calf are on their way to recovery at ZooTampa’s critical care center after spending months trapped in a canal.
A rescue team consisting of more than 10 organizations found the pair in the Faka Union spillway in Port of the Islands last week.
Biologists believe the manatees accessed the six-mile stretch of canals during last year’s storm surges but were unable to swim back out once water levels dropped.
A wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was the first person to spot the calf miles upstream, according to NBC affiliate WBBH. Then, more reports started flooding in as neighbors in the Port of the Islands community took notice.
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(Credit: ZooTampa) -
(Credit: ZooTampa) -
(Credit: ZooTampa)
Rescuers said the mother was emaciated but her calf appeared to be in good condition, despite the months they spent stranded.
After locating the manatees, crews loaded them onboard a boat and took them to the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center for “much-needed rehabilitation.”
“We are always grateful to work alongside such an impressive rescue team to ensure this mother and calf receive the care they need!” ZooTampa wrote in a social media post regarding the rescue.
