Two manatees returned to water at Smyrna Dunes; FWC clarifies response
Two manatees found on shore at Smyrna Dunes Park were ultimately helped back to deeper water and swam away without an observed injury, according to later accounts from wildlife officials and local responders.
The episode drew attention after images and videos showed the animals on the beach and New Smyrna Beach firefighters assisting them. Early social-media posts criticized the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s response and suggested that responders might have violated wildlife-protection laws. The available follow-up reporting does not establish either claim.
FWC told WFTV that it received reports of manatees on shore during mating activity and contacted a member of Volusia County’s Marine Mammal Response Team. According to the agency’s account, a trained responder examined the animals’ breathing and condition, took measurements and determined that the safest immediate course was to leave them undisturbed while waiting for high tide. Manatees can sometimes come partly or fully ashore during mating activity, and moving such a large animal without trained guidance can injure both the animal and the people nearby.
New Smyrna Beach firefighters arrived later in the evening. WESH reported that responders monitored the incoming tide and then assisted the two manatees toward deeper water at about 10:30 p.m. Both animals swam away, and officials reported no injury. FWC said its subsequent conversation with the fire department was productive and was not a scolding, contrary to a characterization that circulated online.
That distinction matters. Photographs of ropes or straps do not, by themselves, establish an unlawful taking or harassment of protected wildlife. No citation, criminal charge or official finding of a violation tied to this response was located during this review. The documented record supports describing the method only as part of the response; it does not support repeating an accusation of illegal conduct as fact.
FWC advises members of the public not to push, pull or otherwise try to move a stranded manatee. People should keep their distance, reduce noise, keep pets away and report the location to the agency’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Trained responders can assess whether intervention is necessary and coordinate equipment and personnel. The same guidance applies after storms, when displaced or trapped animals may be especially vulnerable.
The two CFL Report posts from Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 document one developing story. The first documented the stranded animals; the second raised questions about the official response. Together, the two posts show how the account changed as later, attributable information became available, without minimizing the concern that prompted witnesses to call for help.
FWC said future incidents would continue to be coordinated with trained local partners. The verified outcome in this case is limited but positive: the two manatees reached deeper water and were last seen swimming away.
Sources: myfwc.com, myfwc.com, myfwc.com, wftv.com, wesh.com, cityofnsb.com, volusia.org.
Original CFL Report Facebook coverage (2 updates)
These captions are preserved from the original posts. Early descriptions may be superseded by the verified information in the article above.
Facebook update — 08/17/2026, 21:54:14 EDT
Two manatees were observed ashore while a trained responder monitored conditions.
Open the original update (caption above has been editorially corrected)
Facebook update — 08/18/2026, 20:34:33 EDT
The original caption is not republished because it included unverified claims about responders and wildlife law. The verified account appears above.
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