The Melbourne Beach Rotary Club has launched a $70,000 GoFundMe campaign called “Bring Melby Home” to support the rescue, rehabilitation and eventual release of a young manatee currently recovering at SeaWorld Orlando. Melby captured hearts across the Melbourne Beach community after being dramatically rescued from a storm drain where he became trapped during a cold snap. The fundraising effort aims to cover all costs associated with Melby’s care and implement safeguards to prevent similar incidents.
“The town reached out to us, and wanted to know if we could help support the efforts with Melby,” said Steven Rodrigo, secretary of the Melbourne Beach Rotary Club and incoming club president. “We’ve been working diligently to try and come up with ways.” Rodrigo explained that the community response came together quickly after Melbourne Beach officials sought assistance for the rescue operation.
The $70,000 fundraising goal will cover multiple aspects of Melby’s care and future prevention measures. The funds will pay for Melby’s rescue operation, his ongoing care and feeding at SeaWorld Orlando, and his planned release back into the wild within about a month to a month and a half. A portion of the money will also support infrastructure improvements in Melbourne Beach to prevent similar manatee entrapments.
“We would like to help the town so like things like this don’t happen again,” Rodrigo said. The Rotary Club recently visited Melby at SeaWorld Orlando to announce the campaign and assess his recovery progress. Local residents and community leaders have rallied around the young manatee’s story, making him a symbol of wildlife conservation efforts in the area.
Jeff Eble with Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute explained the circumstances that led to Melby’s dangerous predicament. “The reason that Melby got into trouble was because there were some gates on the storm water outfall pipes,” he said. “The pipes, many of them drain into the lagoon because it’s storm water, it’s water runoff, and they’re grated to keep manatees and other wildlife from moving into those pipes and getting into trouble.”
The saltwater environment gradually compromised the protective barriers without anyone realizing the deterioration was occurring. “Unfortunately, Melby was able to enter a storm water system during a cold snap,” Eble said. “Melby made a decision to try to find shelter during” the weather event, leading to his entrapment in the drainage system.
SeaWorld Orlando has been providing critical care for Melby since his rescue, with veterinary staff monitoring his recovery progress. The marine park’s rehabilitation facilities have allowed Melby to regain strength while receiving specialized treatment for any injuries sustained during his ordeal. Visitors to SeaWorld have been able to observe Melby’s recovery, further building community support for his care.
The Melbourne Beach community’s response demonstrates the strong connection between local residents and the area’s marine wildlife. The Indian River Lagoon system, where Melby will eventually be released, serves as critical habitat for manatees seeking warm water refuges during Florida’s cooler months. The fundraising campaign represents both immediate support for Melby and long-term commitment to protecting the waterway’s manatee population.
The GoFundMe campaign will remain active until the $70,000 goal is reached, with the Melbourne Beach Rotary Club coordinating donation efforts and providing updates on Melby’s progress. Community members can contribute to the “Bring Melby Home” campaign while SeaWorld continues Melby’s rehabilitation in preparation for his return to Melbourne Beach waters within the next month to month and a half.