9-foot manatee rescued in St. Augustine, after getting stuck in oyster bed

Jacksonville, FL — A 9-foot manatee is back in the open waters, after she had to be rescued in St. Augustine.

We're told she was found upside down in an oyster bed Wednesday afternoon, in the area of San Marco Avenue and Ocean Avenue, not too far from the Fountain of Youth, after the tide went down.

First responders called in Florida Fish and Wildlife to assist, who also put Jacksonville Zoo and Garden's Manatee Critical Care Center and vets on standby.

FWC’s Nadia Gordon spoke with our partner Action News Jax about the rescue operation.

“We just wanted to make sure the animal was in good health, so we actually looked at the condition of the body. We looked at any scars that the animal had. Took photographs, took a total length,” explains Gordon.