The back end of this 8.5-foot manatee was found sticking out of a culvert under U.S. 19 in Port Richie, Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
A big black tail was found sticking out of the culvert in Port Richey, Florida, and closer inspection revealed it was an 8.5-foot manatee in a jam.
It had become stuck — half in and half out — of a drain pipe under six-lane U.S. 19.
A passerby was the first to report the odd sight Sept. 20, and before long, the police department, the fire department and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were on scene.
Manatee are notorious for getting trapped when high waters recede, and this one got lucky someone noticed, according to Andy Garrett, a marine mammal biologists with FWC.
Earlier this year, four manatees died while stuck in a culvert on the eastern side of the state, he said.
“If this manatee had been all the way in the culvert, it wouldn’t have been that obvious and may have been missed,” Garrett said.
“They do explore in high waters and in this case, the water rose where it could swim under U.S. 19, then … the tide went out and left it half out of the culvert.”
The manatee was found 800 feet from the nearest outlet into the Gulf of Mexico, he said, which meant a rescue was required.
“We have a hydraulic lift on (FWC) pickups to lift manatee, and we put straps on it (the manatee) and pulled it into a sling,” Garrett said. “It only took about 15 minutes.”
A fresh abrasion was found on the manatee’s head, where it slammed into something, he said. As a result, it was taken to ZooTampa at Lowry Park for evaluation and possible treatment.
“We hope he’s medically cleared to be released back into the wild soon,” FWC said in a Sept. 21 Facebook post.
FWC is working with Port Richey officials to put a grate over the culvert openings so no other manatees get stuck, Garrett said.
Port Richey is about 40 miles north of Tampa.