VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) – Marine units from the Venice Police Department and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office responded over the weekend to a report of a manatee in distress in the Hatchett Creek area.
Officers located an injured manatee showing signs of cold stress lesions and visible scarring along its tail, according to the Venice Police Department.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists were notified and responded to assist, along with staff from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. With support from Sea Tow Venice, crews removed the manatee from the water.
Mote Marine Laboratory rescues cold-stressed manatees and sea turtles
Mote Marine then transported the animal to ZooTampa at Lowry Park for specialized rehabilitation and recovery.
Officials urged the public to report marine animals that appear injured, distressed, entangled or dead. The following resources are available:
FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline (24/7): 888-404-FWCC (3922) — for manatees, dolphins, whales and sea turtles statewide.Mote Marine Stranding Investigations Program (Sarasota and Manatee counties): 888-345-2335 — for sick, injured or dead dolphins, whales and sea turtles.
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