AND WHEN WE’LL GET ANY BREAK IN THE HEAT. THAT’S COMING UP IN JUST A BIT. >> VIDEO AT 5 CAPE CORAL POLICE. FWC DIVING IN TO SAVE A MANATEE AFTER IT WAS HIT BY A BOAT PROPELLER. >> 22 TIMES HER CALF CLOSE BY REFUSED TO LEAVE ITS MOTHER’S SIDE. THE CALF WAS RESCUED. 2 BOATS ARE THE MAIN CAUSE OF DEATH FOR SEA COWS AND OUR STATE. AND SO FAR THIS YEAR, A SPIKE IN MANATEE DEATHS
Video: Mother and baby manatee rescued in Cape Coral canal after boat strike
Updated: 5:52 PM EST Mar 4, 2026
The Cape Coral Police Department helped the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescue two manatees Wednesday.A mother manatee was hit by a propeller 20-22 times, and her baby would not leave, so both had to be rescued, police said. Officer Wolfe with CCPD was a part of the rescue efforts.It took nearly a dozen people on FWC’s Marine Mammal Rescue boat to rescue the manatees.This rescue comes after at least 25 dead manatees were reported in Lee County between Feb. 13 and Feb. 18, possibly due to cold stress, according to FWC.FWC also said that its crews and partners rescued six manatees in Lee County from Feb. 19 to Feb. 26 after responding to reports of the animals showing signs of cold stress, watercraft injuries and malnutrition.If you encounter a manatee that is sick, injured or deceased, you can report it to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline by dialing 888-404-FWCC (3922).DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
The Cape Coral Police Department helped the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescue two manatees Wednesday.
A mother manatee was hit by a propeller 20-22 times, and her baby would not leave, so both had to be rescued, police said. Officer Wolfe with CCPD was a part of the rescue efforts.
It took nearly a dozen people on FWC’s Marine Mammal Rescue boat to rescue the manatees.
This rescue comes after at least 25 dead manatees were reported in Lee County between Feb. 13 and Feb. 18, possibly due to cold stress, according to FWC.
FWC also said that its crews and partners rescued six manatees in Lee County from Feb. 19 to Feb. 26 after responding to reports of the animals showing signs of cold stress, watercraft injuries and malnutrition.
If you encounter a manatee that is sick, injured or deceased, you can report it to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline by dialing 888-404-FWCC (3922).
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.