KITTY HAWK, N.C. — An injured manatee was safely transported to SeaWorld Orlando, Florida after it was found in North Carolina.
According to a spokesperson with Jennette's Pier, A North Carolina Aquarium, the injured and possibly sick manatee was spotted in Kitty Hawk Bay waters on October 29.
On Monday, November 18, a multi-agency team scooped up the animal from a creek off the Tar River near Greenville.
“Sending a huge thanks to all our volunteers and locals who helped keep an eye on this animal,” said Jennette’s Pier Marine Mammal Coordinator, Marina Doshkov, who was first on the scene when the animal was spotted. “It takes a village!”
According to the central region assistant marine mammal stranding technician for the aquariums, Jill Sullivan, all rescue activities were performed under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit.
Nonetheless, several members of the North Carolina Aquariums – veterinarians Emily Christiansen and Lori Westmoreland, veterinary services coordinator Heather Broadhurst and volunteer John Cece – assisted in the rescue.