Bulldozer rescues manatee stuck in Georgia sand at low tide

In an Oct. 1, 2019 photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, wildlife workers keep a stranded manatee wet until a bulldozer plows a trench that allows river water to reach the animal. Workers rolled the manatee onto a stretcher and guided it to deeper water. (Georgia Department of Natural Resources via AP)
In an Oct. 1, 2019 photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, wildlife workers keep a stranded manatee wet until a bulldozer plows a trench that allows river water to reach the animal. Workers rolled the manatee onto a stretcher and guided it to deeper water. (Georgia Department of Natural Resources via AP)

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Georgia wildlife officials used a bulldozer to help rescue a manatee that got stuck in sand near Savannah.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources says the large manatee was navigating a manmade shortcut between rivers near Savannah on Oct. 1 when it got stranded at low tide. That's because the cut is being filled by the Army Corps of Engineers to create wetlands.

The state agency posted video online that shows wildlife workers keeping the manatee wet until a bulldozer plows a trench that allows river water to reach the animal. Workers then roll the manatee onto a stretcher and guide it to deeper water.

Manatees are protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. They pass through Georgia waters on their way to Florida for the winter.

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