By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Aug 15, 2013, 13:27
Virginia Wildlife Officials have searched the Appomattox River in response to a video and photo of a manatee swimming in its waters, posted on Twitter by Colonial Heights resident Cody Beeler, 17.
The manatee was spotted near the Temple Bridge in Colonial Heights on Sunday.
The post on Twitter was shared numerous times and was viewed by officials at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, prompting them to investigate the sighting.
Lee Walker, Director of Outreach at the DGIF said an occurrence like this happens every three to four years in Virginia.
“The manatees migrate from Florida to warmer waters through the intercoastal waterway,” said Walker.
Manatees, also known as sea cows, inhabit the coastal areas in Florida during the winter months, but as the water temperatures get warmer during the summer, they tend to migrate with the warmer waters.
Walker said the species is protected by the federal government, which means it is illegal to hunt, capture, kill, or harass the species.
DGIF Wildlife Biologist J.D. Kleopfer searched the waters around the area where the manatee was sighted by boat on Monday. According to his reports, no manatees were spotted in the area, and due to low water levels, ‘no more survey work can be done until the water level gets higher.’
Walker stated in an email Monday afternoon that The United States Fish and Wildlife Service in order to report future sightings of the animal, which Walker says if lucky, has moved with the tide into the James River.
Walker also warns that manatees are slow-moving creatures, and highly susceptible to injury from boat propellers.
“While it may seem like a once in a lifetime opportunity for folks…a lot of boats on the water isn’t necessarily going to be good for the manatee,” said Walker.
If spotted, do not harass or attempt to capture the animal, notify local authorities, and let the mammal continue its journey.
