Florida’s Manatee Rescue Highlights Urgent Need for Wildlife Protection and Infrastructure Accountability

In Melbourne Beach, Florida, a 410-pound manatee became an unintended victim of the very environment it depends on for survival. This gentle sea giant found itself trapped in a storm drain while searching for warmer waters—a distressing reminder that wildlife protection cannot be sidelined amid our infrastructure development. The rescue effort mobilized multiple fire rescue units, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida experts, and even private services like Jack’s Wrecker Service. Such coordination demonstrated an admirable willingness to act—but why did this situation arise in the first place? Storm drains are meant to manage floods, not...