Rescue Equipment
![Wildlife Alert Hotline Logo](/media/11954/wildlife-alert-logo.png?format=jpg&quality=80)
Report a Sick, Injured, Dead, or Tagged Manatee
Call FWC's Wildlife Alert Toll-Free Number: 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922), press "7" to speak with an operator.
Cellular phone customers: *FWC or #FWC
The core rescue equipment that biologists use to rescue manatees includes specialized capture boats, large nets, hoop nets, and transport trucks.
Capture Boat
![Manatee Capture Boat](/media/14113/captureboat.jpg?format=jpg&quality=80)
Modified Florida mullet skiffs are used to capture manatees. This boat has a flat bottom design for shallow water operations, the engine near the bow to avoid net fouling with the propeller, and a large open stern and removable transom for pulling an adult manatee onboard. These boats can be used to catch a manatee near-shore or off-shore and allow for captures where the shoreline is inaccessible.
Capture Net
![Manatee Capture Net](/media/14114/capturenet.jpg?format=jpg&quality=80)
Stretch mesh twine nets are used to capture manatees. The nets are fashioned with a float line on one side which floats at the surface of the water, and a lead line on the other side which settles to the bottom of the water column.
Hoop Net
![Manatee Hoop Net](/media/14115/hoopnet.jpg?format=jpg&quality=80)
A modified dip net can be used to capture smaller manatees. These are particularly useful for capturing orphaned calves or smaller manatees in large aggregations or in areas where a normal capture net will become fouled or won't reach the substrate.
Transport Truck
![Manatee Transport Truck](/media/14116/transporttruck.jpg?format=jpg&quality=80)
Specialized box trucks are used to transport rescued manatees. These trucks are climate-controlled and stocked with equipment to keep the manatee safe and comfortable during transport.