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Wandering Manatee Safe in Fla.

'Ilya' had gotten as far as CT, rescued near refinery in NJ

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 29, 2009 1:12 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Ilya, a 10-foot, 1,100-pound manatee spotted in Connecticut waters 2 weeks ago, is safely recuperating at a Florida aquarium before being released back into the wild. Ilya was rescued 2 days ago wallowing in the warm discharge of a New Jersey oil refinery, but neither that nor his prolonged exposure to cold northern temperatures appears to have caused lasting damage. “We’re very relieved,” an animal rescuer tells NBC New York.

“We spent a lot of days worrying about him,” the rescuer continues, but once in captivity the animal quickly chowed down on $300 worth of lettuce. “All this thing did was eat. But that's a good thing.''

Happy manatees in Florida. Ilya has been returned to recuperate at an aquarium there.
Happy manatees in Florida. Ilya has been returned to recuperate at an aquarium there.   (AP Photo)
Ilya the manatee after rescue in New Jersey.
Ilya the manatee after rescue in New Jersey.   (Marine Mammal Stranding Center)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
JoeQ
Oct 30, 2009 2:39 AM CDT
There are manatees found in both Florida and Belize, which means they used to bee all over the Gulf of Mexico. Look at a manatee and imagine you are seeing a highly mutated underwater elephant, which is its closest living terrestrial relative. Very cool.
NxBigmouthery
Oct 29, 2009 8:43 AM CDT
No Sean Hannity gags? Damn.
Netstorm2k10
Oct 29, 2009 7:50 AM CDT
Awesome. I salute you.
Science • US

 
Florida • New Jersey • Connecticut • oil refineries • animal rescue groups • marine mammals • Manatees • aquarium • Ilya the manatee

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