A 410-pound manatee was pulled from a storm drain in Brevard County on March 15 after being trapped for over 12 hours. The rescue involved the Sea Life Response Team, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and local volunteers who worked through the night to free the animal. The manatee was found near the intersection of Saturn Avenue and State Road 520 in Cocoa, a location known for frequent wildlife entanglements. Officials said the manatee was disoriented but not injured when it was extracted.
The operation began around 7 p.m. when a passerby called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after noticing the manatee struggling in the drain. Teams arrived within 30 minutes and used specialized equipment to create a path for the animal. The manatee was guided into a containment net and then transported to the Sea Life Response Team’s facility in Titusville.
The manatee will undergo a health assessment before being moved to a rehabilitation center in Merritt Island. Veterinarians said the animal is in stable condition but will need several weeks of care. The rescue highlights the challenges faced by manatees in Brevard County, where storm drains and urban development often pose risks.
The Sea Life Response Team reported that this is the largest manatee they’ve rescued in their 15-year history. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials emphasized the importance of public reporting in such cases. “Every call makes a difference,” said a spokesperson. The manatee is expected to be released back into the Indian River Lagoon once fully recovered.
Local residents praised the effort, with one Cocoa resident calling it “a reminder of how our community comes together for wildlife.” The incident has prompted discussions about improving drainage systems to prevent future entanglements.