NC Wildlife: First manatee rescue in North Carolina a success
GREENVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A manatee rescued from a canal in Greenville’s Tar River marks the first documented live manatee rescue in North Carolina, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The 855-pound, 9-foot female manatee was first reported near Kitty Hawk in late October, exhibiting signs of distress. Rescuers said the animal was underweight and suffering from cold stress, a condition caused by prolonged exposure to water temperatures below 68°F, as well as a recent propeller injury.
“This was an impressive team effort,” said Terri Calleson, Florida Manatee Recovery Lead for FWS. “The success of this rescue is due to the quick response and dedication of staff, time and resources by so many organizations over the last few weeks to help monitor this manatee.”
A Complex Rescue
The rescue, led by SeaWorld Orlando with support from several North Carolina agencies and universities, involved tracking the manatee over several weeks, FWS officials said. After being temporarily lost, she was spotted on Nov. 15 near a wastewater treatment plant in Greenville. A team used nets to safely capture the manatee from a shallow ditch.
The manatee was transported to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation, where veterinarians reported she was eating well and on the path to recovery, with hopes of eventual release back into the wild.
Increasing Sightings Linked to Climate Change
Manatee sightings in North Carolina have risen in recent years, likely due to warming ocean temperatures caused by climate change, according to Alison Loftis, assistant stranding coordinator at UNC Wilmington. “Manatees travel north to our waters from Florida during the warm months of the year. However, manatees cannot survive for extended periods in waters less than 68°F, so they must migrate back to Florida before our temperatures drop in the fall/winter,” Loftis said.
How the Public Can Help
Officials emphasize the importance of reporting sightings. Feeding or interacting with manatees can disrupt their natural behaviors and increase their risk of harm.
“We rely on the public to help us with reporting healthy, sick, injured, or deceased manatees. It helps us track individual animals that may need assistance,” said Dr. Michael Tift, director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Program at UNC Wilmington.
To report an injured manatee, call the 24-hour marine rescue hotline at 910-515-7354. Sightings of healthy manatees can be submitted with photos and location details to UNC Wilmington’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program.
