Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently reported that a manatee was found dead near Baltimore, Maryland. DNR located the dead manatee after receiving a call from a citizen.
The deceased manatee was subsequently recovered and examined by an interagency team of biologists and veterinarians at the Smithsonian Institution.
This was only the third case of a deceased manatee in Maryland, according to DNR.
The first live Maryland manatee was documented in 1994 along the Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. “Chessie” was captured in Queenstown and taken to Florida for release a few days later.
Since that time, manatees have been reported throughout the Chesapeake Bay each summer. Approximately 6,000 manatees are thought to exist in the U.S
DNR reminds state residents to report any sightings of uncommon marine mammals and wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles or whales. The public can report sightings and strandings anytime to 800-628-9944.
source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
