Manatee rescued after being stranded on sand bank during low tide

A manatee stranded on a sandbank when the tide went out was rescued by Florida wildlife officials.

The 10-foot long, 900-pound female manatee was found around 10 a.m. Monday during low tide in Tigertail Lagoon, the Marco Eagle reported.

Birders Brittany Piersma and Jean Hall poured water over the manatee and covered it with a sheet to protect it from the sun as they waited for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.

The officer arrived, but everyone was forced to leave temporarily as bad weather rolled in. After, they returned with members of the wildlife commission’s mammal rescue unit.

Six hours after getting stuck, the tide rolled in and the manatee swam out.

“We walked the lagoon with her until we knew she was well on her way toward the Gulf,” Piersma said. “Seeing her swim away was a happy ending to a long day.”

Cox Media Group