Manatees Were Spotted on the Outer Banks During the Holiday Weekend

Southerners have long known that the Outer Banks aren't just a mystery series on Netflix by the same name as the string of the beloved barrier islands on North Carolina's coast. This summer, fun in the OBX sun may look a little different in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, but it's not getting in the way of nature running its magical course.

This past weekend, per OBX Today, manatees appeared on the Outer Banks, and witnessing these sea creatures was pure joy for those who had the chance to encounter these so-called cows of the sea. According to the local news outlet, the manatees headed to the canals of Collington to make their presence and beauty known.

Manatees are perhaps best known as a facet of Florida wildlife, but summer migrations takes these marine mammals up as far north as Massachusetts waters, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The animals are described as gentle and slow moving and considering "most of their time is spent eating, resting, and traveling," we must say they're living the good life.

Below, watch a video of one group witnessing two manatees paying their posse a visit. Pretty neat to see, huh?

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OBX Today reminds readers to call to report all manatee sightings to officials, whether they're alive, distressed, or deceased, offering the following contact information:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office: 919-856-4520

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement – North Carolina: 919-856-4786, extension 34

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: 800-662-7137

Readers, we'd love to hear from you. Have you ever seen a manatee up close and personal in the water? What was it like swimming with these creatures?