Manatee County Deputies Rescue Kitten In Storm Drain, Ailing Sandhill Crane

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The county’s furry and feathered residents have been keeping the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office busy lately.

In the span of a week, deputies rescued a kitten from a storm drain, as well as a sandhill crane in need of a hand, the sheriff’s office shared on its Facebook page.

After hearing meowing coming from a storm drain in the 700 block of 17th Street East in Palmetto, a concerned citizen contacted the sheriff’s office Nov. 8.

Three deputies responded to rescue a 5-week-old kitten from the drain. They lifted away an iron grate, allowing Deputy Sprague to slide into the drain feet first, the sheriff’s office said.

The kitten was several feet away from him, treading water, and Sprague made sounds to lure the kitten in his direction.

Drawn to the sounds, the kitten swam towards him, and the deputy “plucked the wet, cold and shivering calico kitten out of the water,” MCSO said. (Watch the entire rescue below.)

On Monday, another concerned citizen alerted the sheriff’s office to a sandhill crane in the Greyhawk Landing area that needed assistance. Sgt. Hendrickson responded to help the crane.

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“We’re not sure if it is sick or injured, but it was too weak to stand or fly when (he) arrived,” MCSO said.

Hendrickson brought the crane to Wildlife Inc. on Anna Maria Island for veterinary care.

Watch deputies rescue the kitten from a storm drain: