The first manatee rescued in North Carolina is now back in the ocean.

Pamlico, the 9-foot female manatee rescued last fall, has been released into the Tampa Bay by staff from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation. She was found in the Tar River Canal in Greenville, North Carolina, suffering from cold stress and boat strike injuries.

She was then transported to SeaWorld Orlando’s manatee critical care facility, where staff had been caring for her since her rescue.

Recovery lead Terri Calleson released a statement expressing that, “This was an impressive team effort with organizations from North Carolina to Florida.”

According to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, manatee sightings have significantly increased in North Carolina during the warmer months.

“As global climate change continues to create warmer ocean temperatures, this is creating more suitable habitat areas for manatees along the Atlantic Coast, causing them to venture farther away from Florida,” said assistant coordinator Alison Loftis from the UNC-Wilmington Marine Mammal Stranding Program .

Thanks to the dedicated recovery team, Pamlico is now healthy and able to return to the wild.

The public is asked to report an injured or deceased manatee by calling the 24-hour marine mammal stranding hotline at 910-515-7354. To report sightings of healthy manatees in North Carolina, please submit information, including photos and the location of the animal, to the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program.