Multi-Agency Team Successfully Rescues Injured Manatee from St. Johns River

Staff from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve (WRAP) recently assisted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Manatee Research and Rescue Team in the successful rescue of an injured manatee from the St. Johns River.

The rescue effort brought together personnel from FWC, FDEP, Save the Manatee Club, Volusia County's Marine Mammal Rescue Team, and SeaWorld Orlando. Working collaboratively, the team spent hours locating, monitoring and tracking the animal over more than 10 miles of river before conditions allowed for a safe capture.

A team of 12 responders successfully secured the manatee and transported it to SeaWorld Orlando, where it will receive specialized veterinary care and rehabilitation. Following treatment and recovery, biologists hope to return the animal to its natural habitat.

The rescued manatee, known to researchers and wildlife managers as “Chad II,” is a frequent visitor to Blue Spring and a familiar individual within the area's monitored manatee population. Weighing approximately 1,040 pounds, Chad II was found with injuries caused by a boat strike, prompting wildlife officials to initiate a rescue response.

Watercraft collisions remain one of the leading causes of injury and mortality for Florida manatees. Because manatees must regularly surface to breathe and often inhabit shallow rivers, springs, and coastal waterways, they are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes. While many animals survive these encounters, severe injuries can require rescue, rehabilitation, and extended medical care.

The successful rescue of Chad II highlights the importance of rapid response efforts and collaboration among conservation partners working to protect Florida's manatee population.