Memphis, Tenn. ? A misdirected manatee apparently swam 700 miles up the Mississippi River to a chilly harbor near Memphis’ downtown riverfront, prompting rescue plans by wildlife officials.

The docile, endangered marine mammal, about 8 feet long and 1,000 pounds, is far north of its natural range along the southeastern U.S. coast. Biologists have no idea how it got there and worry its health is failing because the species’ digestive systems shut down in cooler water.

“We’re working on a rescue plan and hope to have the animal rescued within the next 48 hours,” Nicole Adiemy, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Wednesday. “Then we’ll put it on a truck and haul it to Florida.”

Adiemy said the plan was to catch the animal in a net, perhaps today, and take it to SeaWorld Adventure Park in Orlando, Fla., with help from park specialists.