Published: November 21, 2009 07:07 pm      

Rescued manatee reported on way to Fla.

MOBILE, Ala. — Scientists a manatee captured in Alabama is headed for the warmer waters of central Florida.

Ruth Carmichael of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s manatee program led a September tagging effort in Alabama waters.

They tagged Bama, a pregnant female, and a small male manatee that slipped its tag within two weeks.

They also captured Ellie, a manatee known to have traveled from Crystal River, Fla., to Mobile Bay several times.

The Mobile Press-Register reports that Carmichael said Thursday that Bama was just east of Apalachicola, Fla., according to her tag, which transmits her position. Carmichael believes Bama is headed toward Crystal River.

Biologists believe there may have been more than 20 manatees in and around Mobile Bay this summer, with reports coming in from Mississippi’s coastal waters as well.