Two large manatees rescued by firefighters after becoming stranded on a Florida beach
In a collective effort, firefighters used a harness to lift and slowly shift the large mammals back into the water.
Two stranded manatees rescued and set free by Florida firefighters
SEE IT: Florida firefighters take on a large task when rescuing two manatees that became stranded at a beach on Monday before being set free back in the ocean.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Two beached manatees were rescued by firefighters in Florida.
- Firefighters rescued both manatees and returned them to the water.
- They are nicknamed sea cows because they eat seagrass and other aquatic plants along coastal waters, rivers and marshes.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Florida firefighters displayed acts of heroism at the beach on Monday after saving two stranded manatees.
Members of the City of New Smyrna Beach Fire Department responded to a call at Smyrna Dunes Park late at night on Monday regarding two beached manatees along the shore.
In a collective effort, firefighters used a harness to lift and slowly shift the large mammals back into the water.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, adult manatees can weigh anywhere between 1,000 and 3,500 pounds and reach as long as 13 feet.
As Clear as Crystal by Jason Gulley, USA Highly Commended, Underwater/Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.
(Jason Gulley / LiveNOW from FOX)
The incredible video shows one man pulling a harness while the others push the large manatee closer into the ocean, wiggling and moving faster as it inches closer to the sea.
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Two stranded manatees rescued and set free by Florida firefighters.
(New Smyrna Beach Fire Department via Storyful)
Eventually, they all get behind the animal to give it one last shove back to freedom into the water.
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"Both manatees were successfully returned to the water and both swam away," the fire department told Storyful News.