Florida's Gentle Giants: The Manatees

Although sea turtle season during the summer months is one of the most exciting things for me, the "chubby mermaids" are the reason I look forward to winter just as much. Manatees seek the springs once the temperatures start to drop around November since these waters keep a constant temperature of 72 degrees. Manatees can hardly tolerate anything below 68 degrees as the cold water shuts down their digestive system. 
Observing them as they effortlessly glide through the crystal clear water is one experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Manatee season starts mid November and ends in March, with January being the peak as it is considered the coldest month out of the year.

Blue Springs in Orange City is a popular State Park to spot the large herbivores. However, Three Sisters National Wildlife Refuge in Crystal River remains my favorite. The town has an annual Manatee Festival honoring these beautiful creatures every January including free entry into the National Wildlife Refuge. Several park rangers and volunteers are happy to provide any and all information possible in regards to the refuge and the manatees. Hundreds of the herbivores gather in front of "Idiots Delight" which is the waterway into Three Sisters. A wrap-around board walk enables visitors old and young to observe the manatees as they make their way into the turquoise lagoons of the refuge. It is a breathtaking scenery.
Local businesses offer guided tours to swim with the giant mammals in Crystal River, FL. There are different opinions in regards to this activity for obvious reasons. Do I recommend to do this? Yes as I have had this humbling and surreal experience myself. However, please don't do it  if you are not absolutely committed to respect their space. The recommended distance is six feet, which will leave you plenty of room to feel close. Refrain from touching or chasing them. I understand it is tempting wanting to pet them or snapping selfies. Please remember, it is THEIR home that you are entering. We all have the responsibility to live in harmony with these wild creatures. The practice of good ethics is key to creating beautiful memories without unnecessarily stressing the manatees. When you are in the water with them it should be about appreciating them and lead you to a closer understanding of the need of their conservation. 

Swimming with manatees is not the biggest threat they experience. Humans are their only natural predator in regards to water pollution and boating. I can hardly recall one manatee that did not carry a boat scar. 
In January of 2018 I had a bittersweet encounter with a very friendly manatee. It was literally hugging my kayak, rolling on it's belly and sticking it's snout out of the water, seemingly begging me to pet it. This was not normal behavior. This manatee displayed behavior of an animal that was fed by humans which can cause it's life. Fed manatees will associate boats with food and therefore increase the chance of getting hit by a vessel significantly. We humans have a natural desire to nurture things. We want to feed and pet these wild things without realizing we can create severe damage with our "love" . Any type of wild animal needs to be left wild and observed from a respectful distance. If an animal is in distress please contact certified wildlife rehabbers that are trained to care for them. We have to remember we want to be part of the solution rather than causing more hardship. It is a tough world for these wild creatures but we can all contribute to making it a little bit better for them. 
If you would like to help, please consider the following:

• Respect the no-wake zone
• Skip the boat, kayak instead
• Take a guided manatee tour with professionals
• Become an annual passholder (State Park and/or Three Sisters NWR)
• Adopt a manatee (www.savethemanatee.org)
• Report an injured manatee to FWC (1-888-404-3922)
• Conserve water
• Reduce fertilizer that pollute the springs

Enjoy Florida's winter season and appreciate the wild ones. 

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