BOSTON — The Coast Guard is teaming up with multiple animal rescue teams to transport a pregnant manatee Tuesday from Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.
Expert rescue staff from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) rescued the manatee September 22 from the waters off Falmouth and transported her to Mystic Aquarium. The manatee, named Washburn after the island she was rescued on, currently awaits transportation to Florida aboard a Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 aircraft. Upon arrival, she will be transported to SeaWorld where SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team and veterinarians will provide round-the-clock care until she is ready to be released to her natural Florida habitat.
Who: The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Mystic Aquarium, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and SeaWorld
What: Endangered pregnant manatee transport from Groton-New London Airport, Connecticut, to Orlando International Airport, in Florida
When: Tuesday at 6 a.m. at Mystic Aquarium
Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at Groton-New London Airport
Editor's Note: Media wishing to cover the manatee embarking the Coast Guard aircraft are required to RSVP with the 1st District Public Affairs office at 617-717-9609 by 6 p.m. Monday.
For those wishing to be at Mystic Aquarium please contact Dale Wolbrink at 860-694-9011 or dwolbrink@mysticaquarium.org.