Thar she blows!

Manatee spotted in Quonnie

By Will Collette

Maybe Quonnie dwellers will forego their exodus to Florida this year, as Florida seems to be coming to us.

DEM spotted and photographed a manatee near a pier in Quonochontaug Pond, well over a thousand miles from its normal habitat.

DEM says they are monitoring the manatee, along with US Fish and Wildlife and the Mystic Aquarium in case it needs help.

Manatee have be spotted in RI waters in 2006 and 2016, according to DEM. They advise keeping 150 feet away and are warning boaters to use caution. In Florida, manatees are often killed or injured by boaters, not that Gov. Ron DeSantis's administration cares.

Speaking of matters aquatic, in one week, September 19, join us in celebrating international Talk Like a Pirate Day. It's a holy day on the Pastafarian calendar and a time for us all to practice talking like pirates.

Graphic by Sam Howard