Featured Image Credit: MiamiHerald
By Natasha Lehr
Last month’s story about a rescued manatee named Washburn, she was actually found near Massachusetts’ Washburn Island, continues to unravel with more good news. As you may recall, a team from the International Fund of Animal Welfare rescued the manatee and took her to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where they performed a routine medical exam. The 800 lb. female manatee’s exam results revealed that she is currently pregnant! We must applaud the rescuers for not only saving Washburn, but her calf as well. Way to go team!
The rescuers found Washburn just in the knick of time. Manatees normally inhabit warmer waters, like those just off the coast of Florida, and can’t survive long in water temperatures below 68 degrees. The waters around Massachusetts vary around 67 degrees, so Washburn was approaching her limits. The colder conditions could have caused stress for not only the mature manatee, but for her unborn calf as well. From an ultrasound conducted at the Mystic Aquarium, it appears that Washburn is four to five months pregnant, which is almost halfway through her year-long gestation period. The little mommy is being monitored very closely for stability, with the hope that she will soon be strong enough for transportation to Florida, where she’ll begin further rehabilitation. Once she is fully recovered and healthy, Washburn will be released back into the warmer waters.
Watch the video Washburn being transported to the Mystic Aquarium below:
Read the full story from CapeCod.com and the Mystic Aquarium.