Wildlife officers rescue manatee on Merritt Island after several attempts

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — After three failed attempts, rescuers were finally able to capture a distressed manatee this week.

Biologists with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Brevard Zoo and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region had tried to capture the adult female manatee previously after she was spotted on Merritt Island several weeks ago.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

After being saved by crews, the manatee was taken to SeaWorld Orlando to be rehabilitated.

Officials were able to identify the manatee as the same one found emaciated and swimming abnormally in southeast Florida last year.

Read: Central Florida tourism group adopts manatee, ‘Gator,’ to support Save the Manatee Club

WATCH: Brevard County reports increased number of manatee deaths

Report sightings of sick, injured, orphaned or dead manatees to our Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Learn more about the Unified Command response to the ongoing Atlantic Coast manatee unusual mortality event here.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group