A Manatee in NYC Harbor
62
From The Coasts of Florida to NYC
A Florida Manatee, affectionately named 'Ilya', has been spotted in the New York City Harbor. Ilya had been missing for over two weeks, but when the manatee was spotted with his distinctive scars on his side and a missing chunk of his tail, scientists were able to confirm it was infact Ilya. He has traveled from his home in Key West with stops along the way in Maryland, Massachusetts and finally New York.
Ilya is seven feet long and probably weighs more than one ton. He was first tagged over ten years ago by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department.
No one really knows why he may have traveled so far from home. Perhaps he was drawn by the Big City or the lights of Broadway.
Scientists are supplying food to Ilya, in hopes of keeping him in one place until transport can be arranged to return him to his native waters. Some concern for his health has been vocalized due to the cooling temperature of the waters in the harbor. Manatee's can suffer from hypothermia and die if they do not stay in water above 68 degrees. Plans to move him will need to happen quickly.
- The Florida Manatee-Endangered
The Florida Manatee: Floridas state marine mammal, this animal is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer - The Gentle Florida Manatee
Manatee at Bush Gardens Swimming Manatee's The manatee originated about 50 million years ago. In the day of Columbus sailors mistook them for mermaids. Sometimes they are called - MSN Coverage of Ilya
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Ehern33-Thanks for commenting. I grew up in South Florida and remember seeing them frequently in the canals and intracoastal waterways all the time. rarely did I see one without the markings of a propeller. It is sad that they seem to be spotted less and less these days...
What a sad and compelling story. Manatees are indeed gentle creatures and I am amazed that he came this far. I hope they move him quickly.
Thanks Pop.
RS, stop stealing our Manatees. :)
Hey Jib-LOL, it wasn't me-I am in Texas-just the highland lakes round these parts mam'-no manatees here!
We saw these in the canals in So Miami many years ago. Loved their huge gentleness. Good story!
ehern33 says:
2 months ago
These are indeed gentle. As a kid I use to go to a park near my home where I could see them swimming in the Miami River. We use to feed them heads of cabbage that they thoroughly enjoyed. Some of them had scars from boat propellars. I haven't seen one in many many years and had the privilege to actually swim with one. Amazing that this one has been spotted so far from its' natural waters.