NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – New Smyrna Beach firefighters helped push two beached manatees back into the water Monday night, but state wildlife officials say the animals should not have been touched or moved without direction from trained responders.
The manatees were found Monday afternoon along the shore near Smyrna Dunes Park, where beachgoers called for help and tried to keep the animals cool by pouring water on them.
“When I first got on the scene, they were very unresponsive,” one beachgoer said. “After about 45 minutes of throwing water on them, they started to move around. They started to be more responsive.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it was contacted about the manatees and sent a volunteer to monitor them. However, the agency said heavy storms in the area forced the volunteer to leave the beach.
That left the manatees without anyone watching them until New Smyrna Beach Fire Department crews responded around 10 p.m. Monday, the department said. Fire officials said crews were unaware an FWC volunteer had already checked on the animals.
Video from the scene shows firefighters using the high tide to help get the manatees off the sand and back into the water.
FWC officials said that should not have happened. According to the agency, no one, including first responders, should touch manatees or try to push them into open water unless instructed by trained wildlife professionals.
Instead, FWC said the animals should be left in place while trained responders determine whether they need help.
New Smyrna Beach Fire Department said its crews were trying to do what they believed was best for the animals at the time. The department later issued a statement acknowledging the proper protocol.
“We understand that manatees should not be touched or moved without direction from the appropriate wildlife professionals,” the department said.
FWC said manatees can become beached for several reasons, including mating behavior.
The fire department said it has since received new guidance from FWC and will handle similar situations differently in the future.