Manatee needs rescue after beaching herself after mating chase

A manatee in heat became stuck at the south end of the island Friday night, after a herd of male manatees chased her onto the beach.

The situation began ealier Friday, when too many suitors drove her up onto the beach. By Friday afternoon, she was stuck halfway up the beach, apparently trying to get away from the pursuing males. Friday evening, she was fully beached. 

While manatees do not typically travel in herds, a mating herd can form during mating season, which in Florida generally runs from April through October.

Park rangers from Florida State Parks spotted her, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called to determine how to proceed.

She remained on the beach, high and dry. She appeared largely unresponsive until she eventually flipped onto her back.

FWC officers and Biology Team from off-island arrived around sunset.

The state team made the decision to move her back into the water. While manatees can survive out of the water for an extended period, officials determined that she was not strong enough to remain on the beach and wanted to get her back into the water.

FWC Officers Stapleton and Kampmann along with Biology Team Denise and Alex worked with Park Ranger Amanda Shoemake and Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Garber. The officers ended up in the water, still in uniform, along with others who came to help. It took about 30 minutes to get the sling underneath her, but once it was in place, the rescuers were able to lift the manatee and move her back into the water. 

She swam off around 8:31 p.m. The male manatees had dispersed by that time.