TAMPA, Fla. – ZooTampa at Lowry Park sent their manatee rescue team to Dixie County to help rescue a stranded manatees last week.

The zoo says the male manatee, now named Gully, was found nearly a mile and a half away from open water after a local hunter spotted him in a small pond near the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area.

The rescue team believes the manatee made it this far from open water because Hurricane Helene caused significant storm flooding in late September. Manatees that are displaced by storm waters often remain in unusual locations with limited food sources after the tide recedes, according to ZooTampa.

Rescuers were able to work with several partner institutions to capture Gully safely. During the health evaluation, the team discovered that he was underweight.

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After the initial evaluation, the team decided to take Gully back to ZooTampa for more thorough evaluation and critical care to help him recover quickly and return home.

He is about 500 pounds and estimated to be about 2 years old.

To report sick, injured or trapped manatees, you are asked to contact the FWC at (888)-404-FWCC.

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