Manatees are on the move as spring starts to heat up Florida’s waterways, which means wildlife officials are adapting their efforts to keep the sea cows safe.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said last week that they are adjusting to their spring and summer response mode to the ongoing “Unusual Manatee Event” efforts.
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The supplemental feeding trial at the Temporary Field Response Station ended on March 31, as warmer water temperatures have led to most of the manatees naturally dispersing from their warm-water refuges. Officials said the number of manatees visiting the site continues to decrease since feeding stopped. On April 2, staff observed 40 manatees, but by April 6, they only saw six animals.
Staff will continue to monitor manatees at the site to watch for distressed animals.
READ: Florida manatee feeding plan ends, starvation still an issue
Even though winter efforts are scaling down, agency staff, volunteers, and FWC’s partners within the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) said they will continue to work to rescue and care for manatees needing help.
People are asked to continue reporting sick, injured or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 so trained experts can respond and assess the situation. People should never push a stranded marine mammal back into the water.
READ: Go slow, look out below: Here’s how Floridians can help keep manatees safe
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