ORLANDO, Fla. (WAVY) – An injured manatee spotted in our local waters is now in Florida.
The manatee was spotted near Kitty Hawk Bay on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Oct. 29. An update from North Carolina Aquariums said a multi-agency team was able to pick up the manatee this past Monday from a creek near Greenville, North Carolina. After veterinarians checked it out, the manatee was transported to SeaWorld Orlando.
Jeannette’s Pier Marine Mammal Coordinator Marina Doshkov thanked all the volunteers and locals who helped keep an eye on the manatee.
“Although several additional members of the North Carolina Aquariums assisted in the rescue, all activities were performed under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife service permit,” said Jill Sullivan, central region assistant marine mammal stranding technician for the aquariums. “They are permitted to capture and transport manatees.”
She wanted to give credit to the Aquariums’ staff who assisted, including Head Veterinarian Emily Christiansen, Associate Veterinarian Lori Westmoreland, Veterinary Services Coordinator Heather Broadhurst, and volunteer John Cece.