U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Lilibeth Serrano says biologists are tracking the mammal along the island's north coast.
The manatee was stranded as a young calf in 2005 and dubbed "Tuque" for the south coast beach where he was found. He was being rehabilitated in the north in semi-captivity to get him used to the wild, but escaped during Hurricane Earl last year.
Biologists believe the endangered mammal will have better prospects among the genetically distinct population of manatees living along the southern coast. Serrano said Tuesday that biologists will try to capture him in the coming days.
