Crews work to rescue manatees left stranded from Helene

(Gray News) - Manatees have been left stranded in Florida as the floodwaters caused by Helene recede.

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working with organizations like the Save the Manatee Club to rescue manatees stranded inland.

“While our top priority has been to help residents and visitors of Florida recover from the impacts of Helene, we are also working swiftly to rehabilitate and conserve these gentle giants,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a Facebook post.

Manatees can become stranded during “rough weather conditions” such as the conditions brought by Hurricane Helene. Helene made landfall in Florida Thursday night as a Category 4 storm.

The Save the Manatee Club said storm surges can cause manatees to move inland into areas that they normally don’t inhabit, leaving them stranded when the water recedes.

The organization also reported that typical manatee habitats can also be impacted, as the waters in these areas can recede to “irregularly low levels” and trap manatees.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking for the public to assist in their efforts by reporting stranded, injured or dead manatees they come across.

“Manatees stranded by storms may need immediate medical attention from wildlife experts,” the commission said.

They advise people to avoid handling animals on their own and to call the commission’s wildlife alert hotline at 888-404-3922.

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