Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
For more than 40 years, Dolphin Research Center has been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of marine mammals through scientific research, education, and exceptional animal care.
For more than 40 years, Dolphin Research Center has been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of marine mammals through scientific research, education, and exceptional animal care.







![Manatee Calf Rescued By Dolphin Research Center
MARATHON, FL] On January 2, 2026, Dolphin Research Center (DRC) successfully rescued a young manatee calf in Marathon, Florida, following a complex, multi-hour operation that required extraordinary care to protect both the calf and its mother.
The rescue team was alerted to a manatee calf that had a fan belt tightly wrapped around its body. While the calf was still mobile, the belt posed a serious and growing threat. As the animal continued to grow, the constricting material would have caused severe injuries and, ultimately, fatal damage if left unaddressed.
Because the manatee was a calf, the rescue required a particularly delicate approach. The team was careful not to spook the mother and cause separation, putting the calf at even greater risk. The DRC rescue team carefully monitored the pair and worked patiently over several hours to ensure the mother remained nearby and calm throughout the operation.
After hours of precise and cautious effort, the team was able to safely cut and remove the fan belt from the calf before it became deeply embedded in the animal’s body. The successful removal prevented long-term injury and allowed the calf to remain with its mother following the rescue.
“This was a situation where patience and precision were absolutely critical,” said Allie Proskovec, Director of Media & Marketing. “We’re grateful the belt was discovered when it was, and that we were able to intervene before it caused irreversible harm.”
This rescue highlights the ongoing dangers marine debris and discarded materials pose to wildlife in Florida waters. Dolphin Research Center encourages the public to report distressed marine mammals immediately and to properly dispose of fishing gear, belts, and other materials that can end up in the ocean.
DRC remains committed to the protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of marine mammals throughout the Florida Keys and beyond.
Dolphin Research Center’s role as the sole licensed manatee rescue team in the Florida Keys makes their work essential for the region’s wildlife health and safety. The organization encourages anyone who spots a manatee that may be injured, entangled, or in distress to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
The Dolphin Research Center remains committed to protecting marine mammals through rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research.
For more information or to support DRC’s conservation efforts, visit www.dolphins.org, or social media: Facebook and Instagram. Manatee Calf Rescued By Dolphin Research Center](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TbVTTspIkPQ/mqdefault.jpg)


