SARASOTA, Fla. – Hurricane Irma caused some problems for two misplaced manatees in Manatee County.
A pair of sea cows was left stranded in a muddy mess after waters receded in a Sarasota bay, but were rescued thanks to a couple of Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies and some other do-gooders.
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Marcelo Clavijo posted on Facebook that he and his friends were getting restless holed up waiting for Hurricane Irma to arrive, so they decided to explore the area Sunday afternoon one last time before the storm hits.
They ended up at a bay on Whitfield Avenue and U.S. 41 in Sarasota where the water had receded leading the local wildlife stranded.
Great job today by Deputies Mizner and Hart as they helped rescue two Manatees that were stranded in receding water. pic.twitter.com/DwPfTSVGHz
— Manatee Sheriff (@ManateeSheriff) September 10, 2017
Clavijo said they got the manatees onto a tarp and dragged them 100 feet. The Bradenton Herald reports that it's unclear where the manatees were taken. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office wrote on Twitter that deputies helped rescue the sea cows, but did not provide further details.
The manatees weren't the only animals to be rescued so far in Florida as the state suffers Irma's wrath. The Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety posted a picture on its Facebook page of an injured pelican rescued by officers Sunday afternoon.
A Sanford woman opened her home to chickens, pigs and a dog fleeing from Key West.
Anyone who encounters sick or injured animals can report it to FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922.