Happy ending after Hurricane Irma sucks water away from bay, stranding manatees

This browser does not support the video element.

SARASOTA, Florida — Five friends who noticed two manatees stranded after the sea water receded from a bay shared photos on social media, and the photos led to a successful rescue effort.

>> Read more trending news

After the photos of the manatees were shared more than 6,000 times within hours, Sarasota County and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took notice and responded to the scene to move the huge sea mammals.

See more photos here.

Officials said the receding water would return quickly and reminded people not to walk out onto the exposed Bay bottom.