Save the Manatee Club urges Floridians to avoid manatees as they migrate

This is the time of year when manatees make their way to the warm waters of Florida, and the Save the Manatee Club is reminding people to avoid them if you see them.

The club says it can be tempting to give them food and water. It’s illegal to do that or to harass or harm them.

Save the Manatee Club Executive Director Patrick Rose says feeding manatees could encourage them to seek more handouts instead of continuing on the journey to warmer waters.

“This can be detrimental if the temperature drops too quickly, and the manatee hasn’t made it to warm-water in time,” he says in a statement.

Rose goes on to say when manatees are fed by humans, they are more likely to approach boats or docks expecting food and that could lead to injury, death or harassment.

There is an issue of seagrass beds dying out which makes it hard for manatees to find the food they need, but Rose says government agencies are working to figure out if human interaction is needed to help them survive.

Here’s a list of helpful things you can do instead of feeding them or giving them water:

• Report cases of manatee harassment or feeding/giving water to manatees to local wildlife officials. Manatees are protected by several federal and state laws, and these actions are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
• In Florida, report sick, injured, orphaned, or dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) by calling 1-888-404-3922 (FWCC).
• Boat slowly in posted speed zones and watch for manatee tails, snouts, and “footprints.” Be extra cautious near warm-water refuges such as springs or power plants.
• Protect seagrasses and prevent harmful algal blooms from forming by following the tips at savethemanatee.org/algae.

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