Sunday, October 12, 2008

Manatee rescued on Cape Cod! - but more to be done


The Cape Cod Tmes has been reporting on sightings of a manatee, of all things, in Sesuit Harbor near Dennis on Cape Cod. Given that there are only 3,000 manatees left in the U.S., every one is precious.

Dennis, as the manatee has been nicknamed, had a quite low body temperature from the chilly Cape Cod waters and seemed a bit malnourished wise all right. Between Sea World, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and state and local officials, Dennis was rescued and will be rehabilitated at Sea World in Orlando.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has been trying to change the way animals covered by the Endangered Species Act are protected by allowing the government itself to decide if its actions pose a danger to endangered animals. Hmm, do you trust the government?

You can sign a letter to the Department of the Interior urging them to keep to the stricter standards at the IFAW website. Comment period has been extended until October 15.

Photo from Old Shoe Woman's photostream at Flickr.

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