Lonely Manatee Spotted Near Barnstable Rescued

FALMOUTH, MA — A lonely manatee that summered on Cape Cod was reportedly rescued in Falmouth Thursday as cooler ocean temperatures threatened its survival.

The rescue happened near Washburn Island, according to the Cape Cod Times. The manatee could be transported back to its home off the coast of Florida.

The timing of the rescue was key. Manatees often cannot survive in the water temperatures dips below 68 degrees. On Thursday, the water temperature in Falmouth was exactly 68 degrees.

In August, the manatee was spotted off Barnstable, Chatham, and Harwich.

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Manatees are concentrated in Florida but have been known to visit Massachusetts waters in the summer. They also have been known to fan out as far west as Texas.

And while there's currently a large great white shark presence in Cape Cod waters, the predators generally don't target manatees because of their size. Manatees grow about 12 feet long and weigh about 3,500 pounds. Great white sharks primarily feed on seals.

Humans are a bigger threat to manatees — especially boaters who often unknowingly strike them with propellers. Manatees spend a lot of time at the surface searching for vegetation to eat.

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• Manatee Spotted in Cape Cod Waters
• Another Manatee Sighting Off Cape Cod

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service