[MARINE_BIOLOGY_INTERNATIONAL] Rescued manatee released back into wild

Rescued manatee released back into wild

May 15, 2012 5:43 PM EDT

BONITA SPRINGS - Poisonous red tide killed nearly 40 manatees this winter in Southwest Florida. But thanks to a pair of kayakers who made a rare discovery, one was saved.

A team of scientists nursed the sea cow back to health. And we were there and they returned her to the waters she calls home in Bonita Springs.

The kayakers found the manatee in January.

"We saw what looked like a big boulder in the water and stared at it for a while and continued on our way," said kayaker Doug Kollmer.

But a gut feeling made Kollmer and his friend turn back.

"It just lifted its fin and splashed the water almost to let us know, hey, I'm alive," he said.

That "boulder" turned out to be this female manatee, nearly 800 pounds, lying on her back paralyzed.

They used paddles to lift her head, helping her breathe, until help arrived.

"I think if she wasn't brought in that day she probably might have died," said Jodi Tuzinski, with the Miami Seaquarium.

She and her team nursed the manatee back to health after the red tide poisoning.

"It took a lot of effort to keep a jacket on her, keep her lifted so she would be able to take a breath until she built up the strength to be able to take a breath on her own," Tuzinski said.

The team named her Breva – after the toxin that nearly killed her.

Tuesday, the rescuers who saved Breva's life sent her back home.

"She's a female. Hopefully she'll go out and reproduce and make more manatees," said Denise Boyd, with FWC.

Boyd says nearly 40 manatees poisoned by red tide died this winter - making Kollmer's discovery that January day a rare save.

"I'm happy to be here and happy overall that she's safe and hopefully will now live a long life," Kollmer said.

NBC News