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Rescue mission underway for trapped manatee

A rescue operation is underway Tuesday morning in downtown Fort Lauderdale to save a manatee trapped in a pump station.

The manatee was trapped against a grate in the pump station in the New River and is unable to get out because the current is too strong.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crews are on the scene.

The plan is to send divers in to assess the situation and to use a crane to lift out the manatee, said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Tim Heiser.

Officials said they were going to pump water out of the pump station where the manatee is swimming so they can catch it.