See how curious I am? Is that a camera in your hand? All right Mr DeMille, … We are ready for our close-ups!
Hi Guys, I promised in a previous post: “A Special Day…Boating to Lunch” more info on Manatees so here it is…..
I’m cute! Say I’m cute! Look at my happy face!!
These big bodied mammals with a face only a mother should love are on the brink of extinction! There are several reasons why. One reason is the boat motor injuries as these trusting, curious creatures swim close to boats as if to say …”welcome to the waterways, do you want to be my friend?” The response by some boaters is to speed by them clipping their tails or other parts of their huge bodies with the rudders of their boats. It is sad!
Treating wounds….
Another reason for the limited number of days in these waters, is they are kind of like me….they need warmth in the Winter time !!!
Florida manatees can’t survive in the cold; they may die when water temperatures drop below 68°. so when a cold snap hits Florida, the Manatees are the casualties. They hover in huge groups near any heat source such as a power plant. They are vegetarians and eat salt water sea grasses, algae, red mangrove seedlings and other aquatic plants.
Ahhhhhhh…..shucks!!! This boat has no motor to hurt me!
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the last three years, have had a high number of cold related deaths. An increase of an average of 30 deaths a year since 2009.
Helping an injured manatee
In 2010 a reported 766 Manatees died, some due to cold weather and others were related to injuries, mostly by boaters….and believe it or not, fishing line.
A Momma and her Baby
Despite federal and state efforts to protect the manatee, the future of this endangered species is far from assured.
You can see the size of this one ….
Sea Lettuce
They are such gentle creatures and I’m sad to hear about their possible extinction. Like Sandy, I wanted to cuddle with them. One of my students is going to get to swim with them over the holiday break and I’m jealous! Thanks for sharing your insights with us!
Thanks Melissa! So glad you visited my blog! I am sure your student will have a great time. Just being in a canoe in the water with them is amazing!
How sad, Kari. And, they do have sweet faces. They are so sweet; it just makes you want to cuddle them. Smile!
Thanks Sandy for your caring….I just love these manatees….They are too trusting for their own good….last year a lady from up North tried to ride on the back of one of them….and her group took pictures…they didn’t realize it is against the law and she was fined.