Melby the manatee swam back into the Eau Gallie River on April 7, 2026, more than two months after he was pulled from a storm drain near the Indian River Lagoon. The 1,200-pound marine mammal, named Shelby during his recovery, was released in front of a crowd of onlookers who traveled from Orlando to witness the event. 'It’s huge to see the community invested from the start,' said Meghan Moriarty of WESH 2 News, who covered the rescue and recovery efforts.
The manatee was found stuck in a storm drain on February 11, 2026, by Brevard Fire Rescue. He was transported to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation, where he gained over 100 pounds on a diet of lettuce and other vegetation. Mallory McCormick, a SeaWorld staff member, said the manatee needed to rebuild his buoyancy muscles after months of inactivity. 'He’s back to a healthy weight now,' she said. 'It took time, but he’s strong.'
The rescue and recovery involved multiple agencies. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and Brevard Fire Rescue handled the initial rescue, while SeaWorld’s team oversaw Melby’s care. A local couple who drove two hours from Orlando to see the release said the event felt like a 'full-circle moment.' 'We’ve been watching him at SeaWorld,' one of them said. 'It’s amazing to see him go back to where he belongs.'
City officials and environmental groups are now pushing for repairs to the road where Melby was rescued. Construction plans aim to install barriers around storm drains to prevent future manatee entrapments. Funds are being raised for the work, which officials say will reduce the risk of similar incidents. 'This isn’t just about one manatee,' Moriarty said. 'It’s about making sure others don’t face the same danger.'