Manatee rescued from retention pond after Debby released in Oldsmar

OLDSMAR, Florida. – A manatee rescued from a retention pond after Debby swept through the Tampa Bay area was released at Veterans Memorial Park in Oldsmar.

ZooTampa’s Manatee Rescue Team helped Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials rescue the manatee on Aug. 9. Officials said the animal became stranded in Bicentennial Park in Oldsmar following Hurricane Debby.

The sea pig underwent a health exam where the ZooTampa team collected details about its body condition, girth, body length, existing features such as scars and more. According to officials, the sea pig passed the health exam.

READ: 2 rescued manatees are the newest guests at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s new manatee rehabilitation center

The animal was released back into the open water at Veterans Memorial Park in Oldsmar, which is very close to where the sea pig was rescued.

ZooTampa officials said that during storms, water levels can rise high enough for manatees to cross the spillway that leads into a series of retention ponds. But when water levels drop again, the trapped manatees have no way out.

ZooTampa believes this is why this rescued sea pig got stuck in the pond while Debby was there.

Teams from the FWC, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the University of Florida also assisted in the rescue.

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