North Carolina Wildlife Experts Ask For Help Spotting Injured Manatee En Route To Florida
The manatee was last seen in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program
Wildlife experts are asking for the public’s help in locating an injured manatee currently making its way to the warm waters of Florida for the winter.
The first sighting reported to UNC Wilmington's Marine Mammal Stranding Program (MMSP) was at the St. James Marina in Southport on October 23. Photos provided to MMSP showed a thin manatee with fresh propeller lacerations on its back. When the team arrived at the marina, the manatee was gone.
After consulting Florida Fish & Wildlife Service about the animal's condition, it was determined that it would be best to closely monitor the animal's condition and progress.
On October 26, MMSP took to Facebook with a plea to residents of coastal South Carolina and Georgia to keep an eye out for the manatee as it continues its journey South.
Sadly, because approximately 96% of adult manatees experience at least one boat strike in their lifetime, they can be identified based on the unique scar patterns they have on their bodies.
“Since we rely heavily on members of the public to report strandings and marine mammals in distress, we released information on social media for folks to be on the lookout for this particular animal, recognizable by the scar pattern on its back,” Alison Loftis, assistant stranding coordinator for MMSP, explained to Southern Living. “The response we received to this request was amazing!”
With help from the public, the manatee was located off the coast of Apache Pier in North Myrtle Beach—approximately 50 miles South of where it was initially reported—on October 28. It was sighted again in Murrells Inlet—approximately 25 miles South of Apache Pier—on October 30.
“This is encouraging as it shows the animal is still healthy enough to travel back South to warm waters for the winter,” Loftis said. “However, folks should still be on the lookout for the animal in coastal South Carolina and Georgia, and report their sightings to their local stranding network so biologists can track its progress.”
Manatees are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits members of the public from approaching marine mammals closer than 50 yards.
If you see this manatee, please give it space and do not approach via boat or land. You are asked to call 1(800) 922-5431 in South Carolina and 1 (912) 269-7587 in Georgia.
Keep those eyes peeled, y’all!
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Read the original article on Southern Living.
