A Florida Keys manatee got tangled in fishing line. See what rescuers did in the water
Marine mammal rescuers freed a manatee severely entangled in fishing line from a Key Largo canal this week.
Teams from the Dolphin Research Center and Dolphins Plus, which are marine mammal centers in the Keys, as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responded to the canal Monday because of residents’ calls that the 1,400-pound female was injured.
They found fishing line entangled around her muzzle, both pectoral fins and tail, said Dolphin Research Center spokeswoman Allie Proskovec. Turns out that same manatee had been rescued several times over the years due to fishing line entanglements.
The rescuers got her to shore and veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart treated her injuries and determined she could be released back into the canal.
Here’s what the rescue operation looked like:
