Manatee Rescued By Dolphin Research Center
[MARATHON, FL] On July 22, 2026, Dolphin Research Center (DRC) responded to an urgent call to assess and rescue an adult manatee near Faro Blanco Resort. The manatee has sadly succumbed to its suspected illness despite the efforts of a coordinated team of marine mammal responders.
Dolphin Research Center’s manatee rescue team responded to the distressed manatee in coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The rescue effort was also supported by Marathon Fire Rescue, Aquarium Encounters, and The Turtle Hospital, whose teams assisted in the response.
At the site of the rescue, the manatee was assessed by Dolphin Research Center’s veterinarian and determined to be in critical condition, requiring immediate specialized care and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, the manatee did not survive its condition and has passed away.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this manatee,” said Allie Proskovec, Dolphin Research Center’s Director of Media & Marketing. “Every rescue is an opportunity to give an animal the best chance possible, and we are grateful for the dedicated individuals and organizations who came together today to respond quickly and provide the care this manatee needed. While the outcome is heartbreaking, this collaborative response demonstrates the importance of having trained wildlife professionals and rescue organizations ready to act when an animal is in distress.”
Dolphin Research Center is the only organization licensed to conduct manatee rescues in the Florida Keys. Its rescue team works closely with FWC and other wildlife organizations to respond to manatees in distress throughout the region.
Dolphin Research Center’s role as the sole licensed manatee rescue team in the Florida Keys makes their work essential for the region’s wildlife health and safety. The organization encourages anyone who spots a manatee that may be injured, entangled, or in distress to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
DRC remains committed to the protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of marine mammals throughout the Florida Keys and beyond.
For more information or to support DRC’s conservation efforts, visit www.dolphins.org, or social media: Facebook and Instagram.
