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By: Sarah Sharkey
Last year, a manatee was spotted entangled in fishing line in the Florida Keys. Before a rescue
team could be called the scene, he disappeared. People assumed the worst for the unfortunate
manatee, but he was recently spotted again in the same area.
This time, a rescue crew was able to make it to the manatee before he disappeared. Gilbert, the
young manatee, still had the fishing line wrapped around both front flippers and the
monofilament line was strung all the way to his tail. The animal had a rough year, but he
survived.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Dolphin Research Center
were able to mobilize their response units quickly. FWC used its modified boat with an open
gunwale that allows for an easier way to get the animal on board worked in tandem with
Dolphin Research Center kayaks that encouraged the manatee towards the boat. Sometimes
these missions can take hours, but Gilbert made it onto the boat within an hour.
Once the team got Gilbert back to the boat ramp, they untangled the manatee, took blood
samples and administered antibiotics. A veterinarian from the Miami Seaquarium was there to
oversee the operations.
The team released the manatee quickly and will monitor his recovery in the wild. Everyone is
hopeful that Gilbert will make a full recovery.
Learn more from the source.