Update on Dead Manatee

Mobile Dauphin Island Manatee may have died from cold water.

by Jene' Young

Published: Mon, December 29, 2008 - 5:48 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, December 29, 2008 - 5:50 pm CST

Over the weekend an adult manatee washed up north of the Dog River Bridge on the west side of Mobile Bay.
Scientists performed a necropsy Sunday on the animal. Preliminary results for the cause of death point to cold shock.

Dr. Ruth Carmichael is a Senior Marine Scientist with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
She says, "It does look like the animal probably just died from cold shock. For whatever reason, we're not entirely sure. Some animals seem to just miss that cue to leave, and instead they stay around for a little too long, and it may be what happened to this animal, it got too cold and died."

Manatees tend to visit Mobile Bay and nearby rivers from April through November, when the water is warmer.
Since 2007, there have been over 200 reported sightings in the area. The sightings have been reported to the group, 'Mobile Manatee.'
If you see a manatee, call 1-866-493-5803.
You can also email a sighting or report the sighting to www.manatee.disl.org.

The sooner scientists hear of a manatee spotting, the better. Mobile Manatee wants to track the manatees in our area, and learn more about their environment.
For more information, check out Mobile Manatee.

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