Flapjack the manatee released into Tampa Bay waters

“Flapjack” the #manatee was found entrapped in a retention pond in Clam Bayou park in St. Petersburg in April, 2024. Flapjack swam over a concrete barrier during an extreme high tide event and was unable to swim out once the water receded. A rescue team from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, ZooTampa, and Pinellas County Sheriff captured Flapjack out of the pond and transported him to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation due to his thin body condition. Flapjack recovered over a two-month period at SeaWorld before he was medically cleared for release by the facility veterinarians.

On June 20, 2024, members of the rescue team from FWC and CMA, along with SeaWorld animal care staff, met at the Eckerd College boat ramp to release Flapjack into Frenchmen’s Creek, which is a waterway near Clam Bayou where he was rescued.

Shortly after the release—led by FWRI Marine Mammal Research Administrator and Eckerd alumnus Andy Garrett '99—Eckerd staff observed Flapjack meandering alongside a fellow manatee near the ramp.

Read more about the release: https://www.eckerd.edu/news/blog/flap...

Video by Penh Alicandro '22