A manatee — a gentle, endangered marine giant — has been spotted serveral times off the coast of Mashpee, Massachusetts for the first time in nearly a decade. Now, animal experts say it may be in serious danger if it's not safely relocated soon.

The manatee was seen in the warm shallows near Popponesset Island in late July by paddleboarders and locals who described the moment as “magical” and unforgettable. But what felt like a rare summer gift could quickly become a crisis. This animal doesn’t belong here — not because it’s unwelcome, but because it won’t survive the cold.

Manatees are native to warm southern waters like Florida and the Caribbean. According to marine experts, this one may have drifted north along the Gulf Stream, following a pocket of warmer water. But as New England temperatures drop in late summer, manatees can suffer from cold stress syndrome, which can be fatal. Already, some observers say the animal appears underweight and disoriented, and it was reportedly stranded on tidal flats before making it back to deeper water.

This is a critically endangered species. Only a few have ever been documented this far north in nearly two decades — and the last time it happened, the manatee was pregnant and had to be captured and flown back to Florida to survive.

We can’t just hope this animal makes it home on its own. Intervention is needed now to ensure it doesn't die offshore once the water turns cold.

We’re calling on the New England Aquarium, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and state and federal wildlife agencies to take immediate action to humanely locate, rescue, and safely relocate this manatee to its native habitat before temperatures drop.

Let this be a story of protection — not neglect. Let it be a reminder that when endangered animals cross paths with our communities, it’s our responsibility to act with care and urgency.

Add your name if you agree: this manatee doesn’t just need our awe — it needs our help.