On Wednesday, 15 July 2026, residents in a coastal community were shocked to find two big manatees swimming inside an abandoned local wooden boat. The gentle sea cows had turned the boat, filled with green water plants, into their own small pond.
A video of the moment spread quickly on social media. It shows the two large, dark grey manatees relaxing among water hyacinth and other plants inside the boat. One manatee even lifts its head slightly as people watch and film from above. The boat has wooden sides, ropes, and what looks like an old Yamaha outboard motor at one end.ѕєє тнє ν!∂єσ нєяє
Manatees, also called sea cows, are rare in many parts of Nigeria. The West African manatee lives in rivers, lagoons, and coastal waters. They are peaceful animals that eat plants, but many people hunt them for meat. This has made them an endangered species. Experts say they need better protection.
The exact town or village where this happened has not been named in most reports, but the video and comments point to a Yoruba-speaking fishing area, possibly around Ilaje in Ondo State or similar river communities. Fishermen and locals often see manatees in such places, but having two big ones inside a boat is very unusual.
