ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Conservation agencies and organizations teamed up Tuesday to rescue a mother manatee and her calf from a small tidal pond on a St. Simons Island golf course.
Conservation agencies and organizations teamed up to rescue a mother manatee and her calf from a small tidal pond on the...
Posted by Wildlife Resources Division - Georgia DNR on Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Last week's cold snap likely spurred the two Florida manatees to migrate south to warmer waters in Florida, where the marine mammals can winter more safely, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
They were possibly drawn to the golf course pond by the warmer water coming from it. The manatees swam through two culverts and a large pond to access the small pond.
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Once captured, the manatees were carefully moved to a transport vehicle headed to Florida for further assessment, any necessary medical care and eventual release. Unfortunately, the calf died on the way.
The mother, estimated to weight 600 to 700 pounds, was in stable condition Tuesday at SeaWorld rescue facilities in Orlando. The goal is to help her recover and then release her.
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