A manatee cub stranded near Pink Shell Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach was rescued Thursday.
A resort employee located the manatee and alerted authorities. Lee County Sheriff’s Office beach deputies and Florida Fish and Wildlife officers tended to the animal, the sheriff’s office reported on X, formerly Twitter.
The manatee is Florida’s state marine mammal and is one of the state’s imperiled species protected by federal and state laws.
Here’s what to know about manatees and more about the laws protecting them:
What to know about manatees
According to FWC, manatees are large, gray, tube-shaped marine mammals with leathery-looking skin, whiskered faces, flippers, and paddle-shaped tails. The average adult manatee is about 10 feet long. Often referred to as “sea cows” because of their grazing habits, Florida manatees are found throughout peninsular Florida.
What to do if you find a beached manatee
If you find a marine animal such as a manatee, dolphin or whale on the beach, FWC has shared the following tips: