Beached manatees rescued

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Two manatees beached near New Smyrna Dunes Dog Beach have been returned to the Indian River in New Smyrna Beach.

They were back in the just before 11PM on Monday.

Witnesses say they began reaching out to wildlife authorities and marine rescue organizations around 2 p.m.

“We sent a crew down to investigate,” a New Smyrna Beach battalion chief told News 6 hours before the manatees made it back into the river at high tide.

Anyone who spots a distressed, injured or stranded manatee is encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).