"It Took a Village" — Melby the 410-Pound Manatee Rescued from Florida Storm Drain

🌊 A quick call. A fast response. A life saved. This is the story of how Florida communities rallied to save Melby, a gentle giant who found himself in an impossible situation.

🚨 The Discovery

On Monday, February 9th, someone in Melbourne Beach, Florida—a coastal town about 75 miles southeast of Orlando—made a call that would save a life.

A 410-pound juvenile male manatee had somehow become trapped inside an underground "baffle box"—a structure designed to filter sediment, trash, and debris from stormwater runoff. The manatee, later nicknamed "Melby" by local officials, was stuck several feet below ground in cold, shallow water.

Manatees are naturally curious creatures, and while they occasionally wander into culverts and similar structures, these situations often go unnoticed. In many cases, animals aren't found alive.

But this time would be different.

🚒 "It Took a Village to Free the Sea Cow"

At approximately 5 p.m. local time, multiple agencies converged on the Melbourne Beach rescue scene:

• 🐠 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• 🚑 Brevard County Fire Rescue
• 🏥 University of Florida Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services
• 🚛 Jack's Wrecker Service

In a stroke of perfect timing, instructors from Brevard County Fire Rescue and the University of Florida's vet team had been wrapping up animal rescue training nearby when the call came in. They rushed to the scene.

As the Brevard County Fire Rescue later posted on Facebook: "The large mammal was stuck inside a storm drain after seeking warmth from the recent cold temps. It took a village to free the sea cow."

⚒️ The Dramatic Rescue

As nightfall descended on the area, rescue workers continued their efforts for several hours. Heavy equipment was brought in. Bright lights glared against the darkness. Workers began cutting through several feet of concrete roadway to reach the trapped mammal.

The scene was tense: Melby was underweight, had multiple open wounds near his tail and flippers, and had been exposed to cold, shallow water for an extended period. But he was alert and moving—a good sign.

Just after 9 p.m., the moment finally arrived.

Utility workers completed breaking through the concrete. A tow truck positioned itself over the drain opening. And slowly, carefully, Melby was lifted out of the underground baffle box and into the warm Florida night air.

The gentle giant was free.

🏥 Showing "Positive Signs of Recovery"

Melby was immediately transported to SeaWorld Orlando for expert rehabilitation care. The seven-foot, 410-pound manatee arrived stressed, underweight, and injured—but alive.

Within 24 hours, the news from SeaWorld was encouraging. On Wednesday, February 11th, they posted:

"Our team was ready to receive this over 400-pound manatee for expert care and rehabilitation. This gentle giant is showing positive signs of recovery like moving independently, breathing on his own, and showing interest in food! We're optimistic about his future and grateful to play a critical part in his journey!"

Kristen Turner, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shared more good news: "He showed some interest in food during his first night, which is an encouraging sign. His condition continues to be evaluated."

For a manatee who'd been trapped underground in cold water with open wounds, showing interest in food is a very good sign. It means he's not just surviving—he's beginning to thrive.

🌊 Why This Rescue Matters

Manatees—affectionately known as "sea cows"—are gentle giants that can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh 3,500 pounds. They're docile, slow-moving, and naturally curious. They're also threatened.

While manatee populations have increased over the last 30 years (leading to their downlisting from "endangered" to "threatened" in 2017), they still face serious challenges:

• 🚤 Boat collisions (propeller strikes are a leading cause of death)
• 🏗️ Habitat loss from coastal development
• 🌿 Seagrass loss from pollution (their primary food source)
• 🥶 Cold stress during winter months

In 2021, manatee deaths in Florida reached a record high with over 1,100 documented deaths—many from starvation due to seagrass loss. The "Unusual Mortality Event" was only declared closed in March 2025 after death rates decreased.

Every single manatee matters. And Melby's rescue—made possible by a quick-thinking caller and coordinated multi-agency response—is a reminder that we can make a difference.

📞 If You See a Manatee in Distress

Kristen Turner from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission emphasized: "This rescue had a positive outcome because someone immediately called the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, allowing responders to act quickly."

If you see a manatee (or any wildlife) in distress in Florida:

📞 Call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922)

Your quick call could be the difference between life and death.

💙 Melby's Journey Forward

As of mid-February 2026, Melby continues his recovery at SeaWorld Orlando. He's eating, moving independently, and breathing on his own—all excellent signs for a manatee who was underweight and injured just days ago.

Once he's fully recovered, gained weight, and his wounds have healed, Melby will be released back into Florida's waterways—free to swim, graze on seagrass, and live the gentle giant life he deserves.

But his story will remain a powerful reminder of what's possible when communities care, agencies collaborate, and ordinary people take action.

🌊 So here's to Melby—the 410-pound sea cow who brought a village together. May his recovery be swift, his release be joyful, and his future be filled with warm waters and abundant seagrass. 💙

And here's to the caller who didn't look away. To the firefighters who cut through concrete. To the veterinarians who gave expert care. To the tow truck operators who gently lifted a gentle giant to freedom.

It took a village. And the village delivered.