Storm Drain Dilemma: How a Stranded Manatee Found Rescue and Hope

In a heartwarming rescue saga, a juvenile male manatee was saved from a storm drain in Florida after getting stuck while searching for warmth. Seemingly oblivious to the troubles lurking in the drain, he sought refuge from the unseasonably cold weather, only to find himself trapped in a concrete baffle box. Rescuers from SeaWorld Orlando had to dig deep—literally—breaking through layers of concrete to reach him and pull him to safety.

Upon his arrival at SeaWorld’s rehabilitation facility, the manatee weighed in at 410 pounds and showed signs of being significantly underweight, as well as skin lesions from his frantic attempts to escape. After just three days of good care, he is now breathing on his own, moving independently, and even showing interest in food—talk about a turnaround!

SeaWorld is navigating the next steps with lab tests that will guide his ongoing care. The goal is clear: rehabilitate him and release him back into the wild once he’s deemed healthy and fit. This little manatee’s detour into a storm drain might just lead to a much brighter future, reminding us all of the incredible support wildlife rescue organizations provide when our ocean pals find themselves in a pickle—or in this case, a drain!