Trapped Florida Manatee Now Eating After Storm Drain Rescue

When SeaWorld Orlando got a call about an exhausted manatee trapped in a storm drain on February 9th, rescuers knew every minute counted.

The juvenile male had swum into the drain seeking warmth during a cold snap, but couldn't find his way out. He'd become trapped inside a "baffle box," a concrete structure buried several feet underground.

Rescue crews worked for hours, breaking through concrete and digging through soil to reach him. The 410-pound marine mammal was finally freed and rushed to SeaWorld's manatee rescue and rehabilitation center.

The exam results weren't encouraging. The young manatee was significantly underweight, and his skin showed lesions from struggling against the concrete walls of his prison.

But three days later, hope arrived. The manatee started breathing on his own, moving independently, and most encouraging of all, showing interest in food.

"Our animal care team is awaiting lab results, which will guide the care plan for this manatee and next steps," SeaWorld told reporters. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate him fully so he can return to Florida's waters.

Sunny's Take

This rescue shows what's possible when people refuse to give up on wildlife in trouble. SeaWorld's team has already rescued seven manatees in 2025 alone, with 56 saved last year.

These gentle giants face real threats from cold weather, boats, and changing habitats. But stories like this one prove that dedicated rescue teams are making a difference, one animal at a time.

The fact that this manatee went from trapped and injured to eating and moving in just 72 hours speaks to both his will to survive and the expertise of his caregivers.

One day soon, if all goes well, this young manatee will swim free in warm Florida waters again.