A manatee calf and its mother are undergoing treatment in Tampa after they were rescued Monday from a canal in Satellite Beach.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists said the 200 pound calf, who they have been watching for weeks in a canal off Desoto Parkway, is suffering from cold stress.
FWC said the calf was having a hard time swimming and keeping up with its mother so they decided to take the calf and its mother in for help.
It took more than a dozen people to help get the 1,600 pound mother manatee out of the water.
"Well apparently we've had enough cold weather to cause some trouble, this is the second calf we've chosen from this canal to take, we've had to rescue calves in other parts of the state for cold stress, so while it's not a brutal winter, it's definitely enough for these small animals to suffer from exposure," said FWC Marine Biologist Ann Spellman.
FWC says they took both the mother and baby because it means a lot less human care for the calf, less time in captivity, and both can be released together.
The pair will be treated at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.