| | |  | | | Biologists rescue elusive manatee in Key Largo
Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, with the help of the Miami Seaquarium and the Dolphin Research Center, rescued a manatee on Wednesday from Tarpon Basin in Key Largo.
More than two years ago, FWC biologists learned of a manatee with a front flipper severely entangled in monofilament fishing line. The biologists made several attempts to rescue the adult female manatee. They were concerned about the manatee’s chance for survival, because fishing line can cut off circulation, leading to amputation of the flipper and possibly death.
Earlier in the week, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey was able to spot the animal and place a tracking device on the tail. This device allowed FWC biologists to later track the manatee and follow it to an area suitable for rescue.
Because of the severity of the entanglement, FWC biologists transported the manatee to the Miami Seaquarium for removal of the monofilament line. The animal will be released back into the wild once it is medically cleared by veterinarians.
To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
For more information on manatee research, visit http://research.MyFWC.com/manatee.
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