Manatees in Florida Rescued from Deadly 'Red Tide' [VIDEO]

A herd of manatees in Florida are getting a second chance at life after conservationists saved them from a toxic algae bloom known as red tide.

Red tide, an annual accumulation of algae containing the poison brevetoxin, can be deadly to manatees, birds, dolphins and other animals if consumed, and regularly kills sea life on the Florida coast.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports that 272 manatees have died due to red tide in 2013, a number that far exceeds the previous annual record of 151.

Fortunately, efforts by the FWC and local zoos were able to save 15 manatees between last September and April 2013.

"We are very pleased that so many of the manatees we rescued from the effects of red tide have recovered to reach this point," said Andy Garrett, an FWC biologist and Florida's manatee rescue coordinator. "Our staff and partners worked very hard during the red tide to get to distressed manatees in time."

Tuesday, the FWC released seven of the rehabilitated manatees in Cape Coral, in southwestern Florida.

Two rehabilitated manatees were released in June and more releases are scheduled for later this month.

During the peak of red tide season, FWC officials were finding up to six incapacitated manatees each day, according to a local ABC news report.

"You feel empathy for these animals," Tim Martell, a manatee guide, told ABC news. "Of course, and there is probably nothing more satisfying than saving a majestic and beautiful animal,"

The toxin in red tide can also affect humans. Residents and tourists walking near red tide blooms have reported respiratory problems, and people can become ill after eating oysters that have absorbed brevetoxin.

A photo slideshow of the most recent manatee rescue effort can be seen here.

ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral