Florida Manatee Visiting Cape Cod – Rescued!
Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut is preparing the Florida Manatee who recently visited Cape Cod this summer for its southward journey home.
Greetings and great news! My Florida manatee buddy who has been visiting Cape Cod this past summer has been rescued! The manatee was first seen in Chatham, Massachusetts in late August. It was the rescue program who admitted the female Florida manatee to the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation Veterinary and Animal Health Center. The marine mammal was transported to Mystic Aquarium via the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service lent their guidance and issued a permit for the rescue mission.
The manatee was rescued from the cooling waters of Nantucket Sound in Falmouth, Massachusetts. She is weighing in at 800 pounds and getting world-class professional care from the wonderful people at Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Team and veterinary staff. The Florida manatee is eating well and in stable condition. More great news – this is the first manatee at Mystic Aquarium!
According to Allison D. Tuttle, Mystic Aquarium’s Vice President of Biological Programs, “The animal will remain in our care for approximately 1-2 weeks; until she is deemed stable enough for transport. Upon that determination, she will be flown to a more permanent rehabilitation center in Florida to fully recuperate before ultimately being released back into coastal waters.” Janelle Schuh, Stranding Coordinator for Mystic Aquarium said, “We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to care for this animal. It is essential to us as an organization to care for and protect the ocean planet including its inhabitants. And while we do this every day, bringing this animal’s story to light in our geographic area is even more poignant as a way to inspire even more efforts to save the species.”
Mystic Aquarium has a Top Notch Animal Rescue Program
The Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program both supports animals that need their help and also educates people about the ocean and its inhabitants. If you are visiting or living in New England and encounter a marine mammal or sea turtle, you can immediately call the aquarium’s 24-hour hotline at 860-572-5955 extension 107. Mystic Aquarium is a founding member of the Northeast Region Stranding Network. This network includes facilities along the eastern coast that have staff trained to care for sick and injured animals. Since marine mammals are protected, only facilities authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service can handle the animals.
Mystic Aquarium is a nonprofit 501[c]3 organization. It is considered one of the nation’s top aquariums with more than 300 species, along with an impressive area housing marine mammals, which includes New England’s only Belugas. The mission statement of Mystic Aquarium is “to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean environment through conservation, education, and research.” You can learn more about the aquarium at www.MysticAquarium.org.
If you see any sick or injured manatees, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 1-888-404-FWCC. They are the folks who are responsible for rescuing us in Florida.
Here’s the Save the Manatee Club link to learn more about us manatees …
Here’s a cool link for you to learn more about how we’re rescued and brought into rehabilitation …
~ Kobee Manatee
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