Wayward NJ manatee destined for Miami aquarium

[Donna]

Published: 10/29/09, 12:46 PM EDT

BRIGANTINE, N.J. (AP) - A wayward manatee is headed back to Florida aboard a transport jet after being rescued from murky waters near a New Jersey oil refinery.

Ilya was loaded aboard a plane that took off Thursday morning from Atlantic City for a Miami Coast Guard base. The ultimate destination? The Miami Seaquarium.

The sea cow was pulled from a creek at a Linden oil refinery Monday and recuperated at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.

Federal wildlife authorities kept the rescue a secret, fearing reporters and well-wishers could stress the manatee.

Ilya needed to be rescued because New Jersey's waters are too cold for him. He's been migrating as far north as Massachusetts for the past decade but dithered too long in New Jersey this year.

[valhalla]

You learn something new every day!  I didn't know that Manatees migrated - much less headed North!

[Donna]

You learn something new every day!  I didn't know that Manatees migrated - much less headed North!

Me either Janet, I thought they just stayed in Fla...lol   

[valhalla]

You learn something new every day!  I didn't know that Manatees migrated - much less headed North!

Me either Janet, I thought they just stayed in Fla...lol   

Me, too! 

[jeanne]

I think I have heard of this before.  I think they are adorable.  Which may explain why the full face of my one shar pei is cute to me!

[Donna]

I think I have heard of this before.  I think they are adorable.  Which may explain why the full face of my one shar pei is cute to me!

Definitely, I agree...Manatees are so cute and soooo sloooooowwww. Boaters need to watch out for them coming back into the inlets from the Ocean. My sister sees them down where she is. They just play and play...not a care in the world. Shar-Pei's are awesome. Look like bears too. 

[Donna]

Reported by: Associated Press
Last Update: 10/29 4:20 pm
(Courtesy: WSVN)

MIAMI, FL (AP) -- A wayward manatee has arrived in Florida after being flown on a transport jet after being rescued from murky waters near a New Jersey oil refinery.
 
Ilya left Atlantic City International Airport Thursday. Miami Seaquarium was the ultimate destination.
 
The sea cow was pulled from a creek at the ConocoPhillips oil refinery in Linden and had been recuperating at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.
 
Federal wildlife authorities kept the rescue a secret, fearing a crush of media and well-wishers could stress the manatee.
 
Ilya needed to be rescued because New Jersey's waters are too cold for him to survive for long. He's been migrating as far north as Massachusetts for the past decade, but dithered too long in the Garden State this year.

http://www.wptv.com/news/state/story/ilya-manatee-wayward-new-jersey-wptv-miami-seaquar/8O4nyg40uE6A-4bBw-7kcg.cspx

 

[valhalla]

 
Ilya needed to be rescued because New Jersey's waters are too cold for him to survive for long. He's been migrating as far north as Massachusetts for the past decade, but dithered too long in the Garden State this year.

 

New Jersey IS a nice place to visit  (in spite of what some might say).

[Donna]

 
Ilya needed to be rescued because New Jersey's waters are too cold for him to survive for long. He's been migrating as far north as Massachusetts for the past decade, but dithered too long in the Garden State this year.

 

New Jersey IS a nice place to visit  (in spite of what some might say).

Just ask Ilya.... he liked it.