Manatees Returned To Bay After Getting Trapped In Freshwater Pond

OLDSMAR, FL -- Three manatees that were trapped in a freshwater pond in Oldsmar are back home in Old Tampa Bay following a day-long rescue effort Tuesday, Oct. 16, involving three agencies.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officials say the male manatee and two female manatees swam into the pond in Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve just off Old Tampa Bay when Hurricane Michael's storm surge raised the water levels in the spillway between the bay and the pond.

When the tide receded, the manatees were trapped in the pond (see related story).

Crews from the FWC, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and ZooTampa had to trap the giant sea cows in nets and drag them to shore. However, one of the manatees eluded capture for several hours as rescuers searched the pond in kayaks and john boats.

Veterinarians from the FWC and the University of Florida gave each manatee a health assessment and before rescuers releases them into the bay.

FWC biologist Andy Garrett said this is the third time since 2012 that manatees have been trapped in the retention pond in the preserve.

"They're coming up here for the fresh water to drink right at the bottom of the spillway, and they're inquisitive," said Garrett. "When they have an area they haven't been to before, they tend to find their way in."

Garrett said officials are looking into making adjustments to the spillway to prevent the manatees from accessing the pond during unusual high tides.

Video and photo via FWC

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