Commandyr The Manatee’s Life Turned Around After Suffering Multiple Boat Strikes

Featured Image Credit: Dolphin Research Center Facebook
By Laura O’Brien

Rescuers found a sickly manatee, now named Commandyr, floating with a fractured rib and parasites in his system last November. The thin manatee also had boat strikes on his back. After he was found at Buttonwood Sound, Key Largo, he was taken to the Miami Seaquarium, which rehabilitates rescued manatees. Commandyr gained lots of weight and made excellent progress during his stay at the Seaquarium.

He was then able to swim at all depths by the end of his stay, which was a crucial sign of improvement. He received treatment at the Seaquarium for three months before he was finally deemed ready for release.

On Tuesday, January 23rd, the rehabilitated manatee was loaded onto a truck and began his journey back to Calusa Campground in Key Largo, the location chosen for his release. After his long road to recovery, Commandyr is finally in good health and has returned to his natural habitat.

[Learn more from our sources, Miami CBS, Inside Edition, and NBC4.