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Dead Manatee Washes Up on Maryland Shore

u.s. geological survey

DELMARVA, Md. (AP) - The Department of Natural Resources says a manatee has been found dead in Maryland.

The Salisbury Daily Timesthe animal was first seen on Oct. 27 on Assateague Island. High tides brought it back out to sea but it washed up again and was rediscovered on Oct. 29.

It isn't uncommon to see manatees in the state during the summer, but the animals normally head back south during cooler temperatures.

The Department of Natural Resources says the circumstances surrounding the stranding are unknown, but says cold stress was likely a contributing factor. A necropsy is being performed by state veterinaries, volunteer veterinarians and others.

When complete, the skeletal remains of the manatee will go into the Smithsonian collection.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.