‘It’s rare to have manatees this far north’

Move over sharks. The beloved sea cow is the one getting all the attention in town.

A manatee was recently spotted off the Cape, according to researchers who said it was the first confirmed sea cow sighting off the Cape in nearly 10 years.

The manatee — a species usually seen in warmer Florida waters — was spotted at the end of July off Mashpee near Popponesset Bay. The big marine mammal that’s estimated to be about 900 pounds was stranded for some time on tidal flats near Mattapoisett.

The animal was able to return to deeper water as the tide quickly returned.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare reported that they’re working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local partners to “monitor the situation and assess the animal’s health and behavior.”

“Manatee sightings in this region are uncommon, and we are grateful to members of the public who promptly reported the initial stranding,” an IFAW spokesperson said in a statement.

“Early information is key to ensuring the best possible outcome for any displaced marine mammal,” the spokesperson added. “The animal was able to return to deeper water without intervention that day and was later confirmed to be active and mobile, but I believe there have been a few more sightings since then.”

The last Cape sighting was in 2016 off Falmouth. The pregnant manatee was named “Washburn” following her sightings near Washburn Island.

She was rescued by IFAW, sent to Mystic Aquarium for rehab, and then she was transported to Florida for release. She was even tracked in the Bahamas.

“It’s rare to have manatees this far north, and the fear is that they will become cold stunned come cooler fall temperatures,” said Nadine Lysiak, research scientist in the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life.

The Gulf Stream is now extending farther north, as the Cape’s waters get warmer. This means an expanded habitat for manatees and other warm-water species, like hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks.

The concern for manatees in the north is they can’t survive in waters below 68 degrees, and water temps can quickly drop in the fall.

“We ask that anyone who encounters this manatee or any other marine mammal maintains a safe and respectful distance—at least 150 feet,” IFAW said. “Do not attempt to feed, touch, or closely approach the animal. These actions can be harmful to both the animal and the public, and in some cases are a violation of federal law.

“If you see a stranded or distressed marine mammal, please report it immediately via text or call to IFAW’s stranding hotline at 508-743-9548,” IFAW added.

Here’s a timeline of local manatee sightings:

• 1995: A tagged manatee made it to Point Judith, R.I.

• 2006: A manatee was seen in Buzzards Bay off Falmouth.

• 2008: “Dennis” the manatee traveled into Cape Cod Bay, was rescued, but died on his return trip to Florida.

• 2009: Another manatee showed up in Cape Cod Bay, but made her way south on its own. She ended up being rescued in October off New Jersey and brought to Florida. She was named “Ilya” and lived until 2018.

• 2016: A pregnant manatee off Falmouth, named “Washburn,” was rescued and returned to Florida.

• 2023: A manatee was spotted alive off Point Judith, and was later found dead in Narragansett Bay.

• 2024: A fisherman reported a manatee off Onset in Buzzards Bay, but it was never relocated.

• 2025: The current manatee showed up last month off Mashpee.

Originally Published: August 6, 2025 at 1:43 PM EDT