Manatee Rescue on Marco

Earlier this December, the Marco Island Police Department Marine Patrol, together with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), helped rescue an injured manatee. The manatee appeared to have wounds consistent with a boat strike, including the characteristic cuts across its back. 

“We are grateful to the community members who continued to call in sightings over the past several weeks,” said Marine Patrol Officer Josh Ferris. “Each time we tried to locate the manatee, it had already moved on. We work closely with FWC on situations like this, and on this occasion, we were able to find it in the water off Ludlow Road. We stayed nearby for about five hours until FWC arrived and safely took over the rescue.” 

The manatee has since been transported to Tampa for rehabilitation, and officers expressed appreciation for everyone involved in helping give the animal the best possible chance to recover.