Manatee reported in James River
A manatee has been spotted in the James River, wildlife officials say.
The large aquatic mammal, also called a sea cow, was reported Tuesday just below downtown Richmond and several miles downriver, officials say.
Pictures sent in by a witness show what appears to indeed be a manatee, said Julia Dixon, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
"It does look like we have a manatee hanging around the area," Dixon said today.
The docile, plant-eating animals are native to Florida. Some head north in summer, apparently looking for new places to live. When the water turns cold, they go back south.
The average adult is about 10 feet long and weighs about 1,000 pounds.
Anyone who sees the manatee or gets a picture of it should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (804) 693-6694.
However, a wildlife service official asked that people not go out looking for the animal, which is an endangered species.
Officials don't want people hitting the manatee with their boats or otherwise disturbing it.
A manatee was spotted in Richmond in 2002.
Reader Reactions
when i was stationed in philadelphia in the navy 1978 we had one hanging around are floating barge..in the river.
The “Richmond Manatees” may have been a good idea in an earlier, more innocent time. NOW-adays the feminists would insist on ‘gender neutrality’ - the “Richmond, Personatees.“
... Going to make MAN-T shirts!! “SAVE THE MAN-T” ...
On Monday morning, I saw a bald eagle at Rocketts Landing. My spouse saw the manatee around noon on Tuesday!
( MB83 )
Eureka! We can be the Richmond Manatees!
We couldn’t use Sea Cows though. It might offend folks that hold bovines dear.
Or offend their mates….Several people had earlier mentioned the “evil” held in these manatee; I had wondered why they are always trying to flip over boats in the ‘glades’. Good thing we got rid of our River Boat.
I’m not sure what to laugh at harder, the folks joking about how dangerous the Manatee are, or someone actually commenting that they are not and the jokers should become more knowledgable about them before making uneducated comments. Talk about lack of education…......LOL
“To those who think the manatee is harmful. People should read about them and their characteristics before making an uneducated comment.“
I’m pretty sure they were joking… :-)
Lets try to keep it light, and hope that the Manatee has a safe voyage back to Florida since it’s getting colder.
harmful is an understatement. manatees are lethal. theyre actually the number two killer in the continental US, right behind heart disease.
To those who think the manatee is harmful. People should read about them and their characteristics before making an uneducated comment.
Manitees are cruel and cunning hunters. Their hearts pump only icey cold water, their brains think only of murder.
Do not let their humble appearence fool you folks, we have a menace on our hands.
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