Watch as manatee swims at the Jersey Shore in a very rare sighting

A manatee was spotted in the Shark River in Belmar on Sunday.

The mammal was seen by local photographer Kate Watt, who took a quick video as it slowly swam through the water.

Other locals saw the animal over the weekend, according to multiple reports.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said Tuesday on its Facebook page that they have been monitoring the manatee.

The center urged anyone who sees it to keep their distance and report it by using the center’s 24-Hour Stranding Hotline at 609-266-0538.

Manatees have been spotted as far north as New England in summer months, but in the winter they typically congregate in Florida. Manatees in waters close to New Jersey are rare.

In 2020, one was found dead on a beach in Middle Township.

In October 2009, a manatee later named Ilya was p