410-pound manatee recovering at seaworld orlando after dramatic storm drain rescue in melbourne beach

A large male manatee is making a promising recovery at SeaWorld Orlando following an unusual rescue operation that required multiple agencies to free the 410-pound marine mammal from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Florida. The sea cow had apparently entered the drainage system while seeking warmer waters, a common behavior during cooler weather periods.

The rescue effort unfolded Tuesday after a city surveyor conducting routine storm drain improvements spotted the manatee trapped in what officials called a “baffle box.” The discovery prompted an immediate multi-agency response involving fire rescue units, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida personnel, and even a local wrecker service to safely extract the massive animal from its concrete confines.

SeaWorld Orlando spokesperson Stephanie Bechara reported encouraging signs in the manatee’s condition, noting that “he’s breathing on his own, moving independently and showing interest in food.” The rehabilitation team is carefully adjusting water levels in the medical pool to support the animal’s buoyancy and comfort while working toward the ultimate goal of returning him to his natural habitat.

This rescue comes as Florida’s manatee population continues recovering from a devastating period of mass mortality. The state recorded over 1,100 manatee deaths in 2021, primarily due to starvation caused by declining seagrass beds and water quality issues. While still concerning, recent data shows significant improvement, with manatee deaths dropping to 565 in 2024 and 555 the previous year, suggesting conservation efforts are helping stabilize this vulnerable species.