Manatee found in Chambers County rescued

CHAMBERS COUNTY, TX (KTRK) -- An 1,100 pound visitor who swam hundreds of miles off course, only to arrive in cold Texas waters is now in San Antonio for rest and rehabilitation.

He has no name and no money, but he enchants all who see him.

He's a manatee.

He was first sighted at NRG's cooling lake that serves its Cedar Bayou power plant Sunday. Employee John Godin didnt realize at first what he saw.

"I thought it was a seal -- a big seal -- or a dolphin.

None of the above.

Nineteen years ago, a manatee called Sweet Pea by some, Hugh-manatee by others, surfaced outside a city of Houston sewage treatment plant on the Ship Channel. Her story went on for days, attracting visitors, which probably did nothing for her nerves.

She was rescued and eventually returned to Florida.

This rescue was more controlled. No visitors. Video was taken by the rescue groups involved ad well as NRG.

Tuesday morning, trained workers gently netted the giant mammal, and guided him to shore where he was placed on a large gurney. He initially resisted capture, but was quiet by the time he was on land.

From there, he was placed in a large truck, along with salt water sprayers to keep him wet on the trip to Sea World San Antonio. He's there now, we're told, being treated for dehydration. The decision whether to eventually transfer him to his native Florida will be made later.

He is a native Floridian. A representative from that state's wildlife agency was here for the manatee rescue, and identify him by his markings and scars as being from the Tampa area.