Rita, a Manatee Hanging Out Around Spanish Wells is Pregnant Says Expert.

(Spanish Wells, Eleuthera) - The Manatee seen around Spanish Wells since November 2009, has a name and according to Charles Manire a staff Veterinarian at Atlantis, Paradise Island, she is pregnant and will probably deliver within the next 3 to 4 months.  Veterinary Staff traveled over and had an up close eye examination of the mammal and came away with the opinion that she should be left alone and monitored for the time being.

Rita, as she is named, is believed to be 25-27 years old, and is one of the identified Manatees from around Florida where the endangered population is around 3000. It is believed the herbivorous, aquatic, gentle giants can live to reach about 60 years old. 

Rita was identified by a Wildlife Biologist with the US  Geological Survey, as female Manatee MI028 with a previous history sighting only in South Florida. According to information received, she was first documented by photographs in February 1988 and estimated at that time to be 3-5 years old, and the last record made of her may have been in Miami in December 2006.

The identification was based on her mid-dorsal and lower right lateral scars which were said to be very distinct.

It is believed she first calved in June 1990 and has had as many as 7 calves.