While Tuesday’s confirmed sighting on a manatee in Delaware River near Bucks County is rare, it is not the first nonnative creature to make its way to our area.
Delaware River Beluga Whale
In 2005, the region and nation focused on the Delaware River in Bucks County after a 12-foot beluga whale swam all the way up to the Trenton and Morrisville area. The whale, believed to be around 30 years old at the time, spent some time in the river and was visible as it breached the river’s surface. From TV news helicopters to onlookers crowding the shores, the whale made a stir. According to an article from The Allentown Morning Call, the whale is believed to have made the 80 mile swim from the ocean to Bucks County before leaving and returning to its native Canada.
Shark Of The “Man-Eating Variety”
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The New York Times reported in spring 1922 that a 12-foot bull shark “said to have been of the man-eating variety” was killed by a man in the Tacony section of Pennsylvania. In the 1960s, a large amount of bull sharks were spotted in the Delaware River. Authorities in Delaware became concerned and state police began checking for sharks at river-side beaches.
Wayward Seal
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A seal was spotted along the Delaware River in Falls Township and Trenton in 2006. The wayward seal was likely only a few weeks old and swam up the river in search of its next meal, according to a story on Philly.com. In 2014, there was a photo that circulated on social media purporting to show a seal in the river near Morrisville.
“Waldo the Wrong-Way Right Whale”
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A rare right whale, which was nicknamed “Waldo the Wrong-Way Right Whale,” swam up the Delaware River before beaching itself in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The whale caused quiet a commotion at the time. After a time period with no sightings, the Waldo was found swimming in the waters of Canada.
Dead Whale
Last year, NBC 10 reported that a deceased 25-foot whale was in the Delaware River in South Philadelphia. The cause of the whale death was not confirmed, but officials believed it could have been struck by a ship.
