This particular manatee (weighing in around 1500 lbs) was in a location that would not sustain her through the winter and was not moving, so they decided to move her to the grass beds off Munyon Island.
The manatee is outfitted with GPS so they can monitor her and keep track. The hope is she will adjust to her new location to be able to survive through the winter. They will reassess her situation before the weather turns cold to see if she has adapted to her new home.
This takes a lot of planning and cooperation between agencies, the tides, the weather, etc. I am grateful I got to experience this type of relocation. I learned a lot. (I also got to ride in the nice Sheriff's boat-thanks guys. Awesome. Hi to Jack-Sheriff Dog)
Due to low tides, the huge crane had to lift her out of the truck and lower her over the bridge to her new home.
