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April 15, 2010

When Ilya, a manatee whom the coast guard has kept track of by the scars on the top of his head, was spotted struggling in a small waterway between New Jersey and State Island late last autumn, the animal rescue experts who stepped in to help him weren't sure if he would survive.

The sea creature, who in past years migrated to Massachusetts in the summers and headed farther south in the winter months, had dillydallied along the east coast, and become stuck in a water that was a mere 53 degrees. That's much chillier than the 68 degree temperatures the mammals require to survive, according to the Associated Press.

Happily, after the coast guard stepped in and transported the frozen manatee to Florida, the animal survived the winter and thrived in the warm waters of the south, the news source reports.

According to the Save the Manatee Club, the endangered animals, which can live up to 60 years, have been protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Currently, 84 percent of the manatee population lives in Florida.

Animal lovers who would like to donate their time, energy or funds to initiatives aimed at helping these friendly sea animals may contact the organization, which works to protect the gentle giants.

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