A manatee was spotted swimming in the Appomattox River near the Hopewell marina on a Saturday. Witness Dawnn Thornton reported the eight-to-nine-foot marine mammal appeared healthy with barnacles on its back, marking a rare sighting for the Virginia waterway.
What happened during the Appomattox River sighting?
Dawnn Thornton told CBS 6 she was waiting with her husband and a friend for the city’s 250th anniversary fireworks when they noticed movement in the shallow water near the boat launch. Thornton described the encounter as a “once-in-a-lifetime” event.
“He thought it was a huge fish,” Thornton said. “He comes straight up to us, and that’s when we realized it was a manatee.”
Thornton estimated the animal was between eight and nine feet long. While the manatee had barnacles on its back, Thornton noted there were no visible injuries and the animal appeared to be in good health. She described the mammal as “huge” and remarked that “it’s been eating good.”
The manatee remained in view for approximately five to six minutes. During that time, it swam upriver toward a fishing dock before returning to swim east down the river. Thornton filmed the encounter and shared the video on Facebook, where it gained widespread attention.
Thornton said she was surprised and pleasantly surprised by the sighting, calling it “like a unicorn” because she had never seen a manatee, especially not in Virginia.
Where have manatees been spotted in Virginia?
While manatee sightings in Virginia are uncommon, they are not unprecedented. According to sightings shared with Thornton since her video went viral, reports of these marine mammals in Virginia rivers date back to the 1980s.
These documented locations include:
- Richmond: Sightings as far upstream as Mayo Bridge.
- York River: Occasional reports in the tidal waters.
- Mathews County: Previous sightings documented in the region.
The presence of manatees in these northern river systems highlights the occasional movement of these animals through Virginia’s waterways.
How to report a manatee sighting
If you encounter a manatee or other marine mammal, Thornton advised that sightings should be reported immediately to the Virginia Aquarium’s stranding response team. This organization is responsible for monitoring the health and safety of marine mammals in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it legal to interact with manatees in Virginia? No. Manatees are federally protected, making it illegal to feed, swim with, or disturb them.
- Who should I contact if I see a manatee? You should report sightings to the Virginia Aquarium’s stranding response team.
- Are manatees common in the Appomattox River? No, they are considered rare sightings in this area.
Have you ever spotted a rare animal in your local waterways? Share your stories in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more local news updates.