PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) — A manatee that made a uncommon go to to Rhode Island has been discovered lifeless offshore, bringing a tragic finish to the marine mammal’s curious look in New England.
The West Indian manatee is a mild, plant-eating big typically often called a sea cow that usually lives within the hotter waters of the Southeastern states and the Caribbean. They will weigh as a lot as 1,200 kilos (550 kilograms) and might dwell so long as 65 years.
The Rhode Island animal was first seen in early September and was the primary one noticed within the state since round 2010, mentioned Sarah Callan, supervisor of the animal rescue program at Mystic Aquarium.
The animal was discovered lifeless between Prudence Island and Hog Island on Thursday afternoon, Callan mentioned. The manatee was in a sophisticated state of decomposition and it received’t be attainable to find out a explanation for loss of life, Callan mentioned.
“We’re all so saddened,” Callan mentioned.
The chilly waters of New England in fall aren’t appropriate for manatees, Callan mentioned. It’s attainable the animal caught to hotter waters in coastal bays whereas it was right here, and that prevented it from with the ability to get again to its southern habitat earlier than experiencing chilly stress, Callan mentioned.
The manatee had been seen in coastal areas, resembling Quonochontaug Pond, a saltwater pond within the southern a part of Rhode Island.
There have been six recorded sightings of a manatee in Rhode Island and Connecticut waters since 1995, Callan mentioned. Callan added appearances of the animals might grow to be extra frequent sooner or later.
(Copyright (c) 2024 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved. This materials is probably not revealed, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
