Manatee Continues its Extended Cape Cod Visit

PHOTO COURTESY: Thomas Telesmanick

PHOTO COURTESY: Thomas Telesmanick

HARWICH PORT -There’s growing concern for a manatee that seems intent on extending his Cape Cod vacation.

The marine mammal has been lingering in Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port in recent days.

Dockmaster Thomas Telesmanick posted pictures of the manatee on his Facebook page this week.

It was first spotted about a month ago around Dowes Beach in Osterville.

PHOTO COURTESY: Joseph Doyle III. Photo of manatee swimming in Harwich earlier this month

PHOTO COURTESY: Joseph Doyle III. Photo of manatee swimming in Harwich earlier this month

The manatee was photographed earlier this month in the Herring River in Harwich and there was an unconfirmed sighting of the manatee off Nantucket in early September.

Manatees in local waters are a rare occurrence, since waters this far north are generally too cold for the warm-blooded animals. Most manatees spend their time off of Florida.

IFAW teams have been monitoring the animal to see if it will head south on its own or whether it will need a rescue.

Jane Hoppe, the Assistant Stranding Coordinator for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, previously said they’d have to consider options if the manatee doesn’t head south soon.

One of those options could be capturing the mammal.

Mariners are asked to use caution if they spot the animal.

Anyone who sees the manatee should call IFAW’s hotline at 508-743-9548.

This marks the third manatee sighting off the Cape since 2008.

In October 2008, a manatee named “Dennis” was pulled from Sesuit Harbor after spending two days there. Officials tried to truck the animal to SeaWorld in Florida, but it died shortly before arriving.

 

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