Manatee found dead in canal

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A tragic ending for one of the ocean's most beloved sea creatures.
 
I was a sad sight in a Southwest Miami-Dade Canal on Thursday, after a deceased manatee calf was found floating near shore. It's mother was swimming nearby refusing to leave its side. "The officer actually witnessed the mother nudging the baby, pushing the manatee on to shore," said Florida Fish & Wildlife spokesperson Jorge Pino. "Who knows what she was trying to do."

Wildlife officials don't know what caused the calf's death. The carcass will be removed and a necropsy will performed to find the cause of death.

People who saw the sight were upset to learn the animal's fate. "I see this baby laying upside down and mom trying to pull it out," said Ernesto lutz. "It's so sad the mom doesn't know its dead."

A scare was found on the manatee's body, but officials don't know how old the scars are and what caused them isn't known.

Wildlife officials are issuing a word of warning about sharing the waters with the sea cows. "This is a perfect time to stress to all the boaters in South Florida. They need to slow down as we all know as weather turns cold, manatees head south to seek warmer water, and it's important for boaters be aware that's happening," said Pino. And pay close attention to what you're doing so we don't have situations like this happening."

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)