Manatee rescued in Mobile Channel and recovering at SeaWorld Orlando

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WPMI) — The outlook for a cold-stressed manatee spotted in Alabama earlier this week is promising but uncertain. The rescued manatee is currently being rehabilitated in the temperature-controlled pools of SeaWorld Orlando’s Manatee Critical Care Rescue and Rehabilitation Facility. Cold stress is the leading cause of death for manatees in Alabama and surrounding waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

A local fisherman spotted the manatee on Tuesday, December 17, in the Theodore Industrial Canal off Mobile Bay. Staff from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network (DISL/MSN) and the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network responded immediately to assess the animal’s condition. Determination that intervention was necessary. Alabama partners worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and other members of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) to quickly develop a rescue and transport plan to To provide emergency assistance to the manatee and transport the animal to Florida for specialized care at one of MRP’s manatee intensive care facilities (https://www.manateerescue.org/).

“The animal was thin and had some skin discoloration indicating cold stress. It remained on the surface and did not leave the area, so rescue was a good option,” said DISL/MSN Director Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael. “We are always concerned about cold stress-related mortality at this time of year when water temperatures may be too cold for manatees to survive in Alabama.”

Staff from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), FWC, USFWS and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, teamed up to capture the male manatee on December 19. The manatee was 215 centimeters, or seven feet, long. The manatee was transported to SeaWorld Orlando with the help of partners from DISL, FWC and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. SeaWorld Orlando staff determined the animal was underweight for its size, weighing just 200 kilograms.

“This rescue is a remarkable example of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and our dedicated rescue partners coming together to save a manatee in critical condition,” said Dr. Joseph Gaspard, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld Orlando and vice chairman of the MRP. “Through quick collaboration and expertise, we were able to help an animal in need, demonstrating our commitment to protecting manatees across U.S. waters. It is an honor to work with such passionate organizations to give these animals a second chance at life in their natural habitat.”

DISL/MSN emphasizes the importance of reporting manatee sightings to the network year-round, especially in the winter when the animals are at higher risk of distress and illness.

“In this case, rapid reporting allowed us to quickly assess the manatee and work with our partners to remove the animal from the area,” Carmichael said. “Although we do not yet know the outcome for this animal, the quick response from all authorities was able to give this animal the best possible chance of survival. We are very fortunate to have the leadership and support of partner agencies to make this possible,” continued Carmichael.

Please report manatee sightings as soon as possible to DISL/MSN at 1-866-493-5803. If animals appear sick or distressed, select the emergency report option when prompted. Non-urgent sightings can also be reported online at manatee.disl.edu.