Manatee rehabilitated at Sea World released in Matlacha

Second sea cow returned to the wild the same day in Pineland

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FWC volunteers and Sea World staff releasing Lacha the manatee in Matlacha. Photo submitted by Carol Scott

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With a crowd of islanders looking on FWC volunteers and staff from Sea World prepare to release Lacha in the waters in Matlacha. PhotoS submitted by Carol Scott

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The group of FWC volunteers and Sea World staffers with the truck used to transport the manatees back to the islands. Photo submitted by Carol Scott

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Matlacha Civic Association President Carol Scott reported last week that Matlacha residents Dave and Sherry Howardson found a manatee floating in their canal off Island Avenue back in April. Dave Howardson called Florida Fish and Wildlife with concerns about the manatee, who some locals have named “Lacha” after Matlacha.

“I noticed the back of the manatee out of the water early in the morning and then it stayed in the same spot until she was in distress of some sort,” Howardson said.

His call to the FWC was returned promptly, and he was told other calls had come in regarding a local manatee in distress, that may or may not have been the same animal.

“She was tracked and eventually found in July,” Scott said. “Once FWC found her, she was taken to Sea World for rehabilitation.”

Last Wednesday, July 10, FWC released Lacha back in Matlacha in the canal behind D & D Bait and Tackle Shop.

“They just called me three days ago (Tuesday, July 9) to say they were coming to put it back in the water after rehabilitating it,” Howardson said. “Apparently, the Sea World folks had another one in the same truck that they were taking through to Pine Island to release.”

Scott reported that the second manatee was taken to Pineland Marina to be released.

“I never attended this before … it’s very cool. Once she was in the water, Lacha took off,” Scott said.