The manatees of Florida have begun their seasonal migrations to warmer waters with the arrival of the colder months, and state authorities have issued a warning to boaters to prevent accidents that could lead to the death of these animals.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported this Monday that the start of Manatee Awareness Month coincides with a time when these marine mammals begin to move toward their winter refuges.
The agency urged residents and visitors to reduce boat speeds, pay attention to the presence of manatees, and maintain a safe distance when encountering them in rivers, canals, and other waterways.
“Manatees depend on warm water locations to survive the winter,” explained Ashley LaVere, coordinator of the Manatee Management Program at FWC.
According to the official, when the water temperature drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, equivalent to about 20 degrees Celsius, these animals seek refuge in natural springs, areas of hot water discharge from power plants, and other places that maintain higher temperatures.
LaVere warned that boaters and jet ski users may encounter manatees more frequently as they move toward their winter habitats.
One of the main dangers to the species is collisions with vessels. Despite their large size, manatees can be difficult to distinguish below the surface, especially when there are light reflections or low visibility.
To reduce risk, the FWC recommends designating a person on board to constantly monitor the water and look for signs of their presence, such as snouts, backs, tails, or fins protruding from the surface.
Another sign is the manatee footprints, circular patterns that appear on the water when one of these animals swims beneath it.
The agency also advises to use polarized sunglasses, navigate slowly, and strictly adhere to the speed restrictions set in manatee protection areas.
These areas are marked on the waterways and, depending on their location, may require reduced speeds or restrict access for certain vessels to prevent accidents.
FWC officers patrol state waters to inform boaters about current restrictions and to enforce appropriate measures when they detect violations.
The maps of the protected areas can be consulted on the official FWC site dedicated to manatee conservation.
Authorities also urged to take extra precautions when visiting the areas where these animals congregate to protect themselves from the cold.
The FWC reminded that it is prohibited to feed, harass, disturb, or cause harm to manatees, a species protected by state and federal laws.
The warning has a specific reason: when a person disturbs manatees in their warm water refuges, it can cause them to leave those areas and move to waters that are too cold, jeopardizing their survival.
Those who wish to observe them should do so from a safe distance, preferably with binoculars, without attempting to touch them or disturb their natural behavior.
If a person finds an injured, sick, distressed, or dead manatee, they must immediately report it to the wildlife hotline of the FWC by calling 888-404-3922.
The agency emphasized that no one should attempt to manipulate or rescue an injured animal on their own, as it could worsen the animal's condition and expose themselves to injury.
The reports enable the mobilization of trained specialists to address these situations.
The cold represents another significant danger for these mammals. In January of this year, rescue teams in Florida saved a young manatee that exhibited symptoms of stress due to low temperatures in Bear Creek.
In that operation, carried out on January 27, specialists from the FWC and various institutions dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of marine wildlife participated.
Days later, in response to another episode of intense cold, Florida authorities warned about the effects of low temperatures on manatees, sea turtles, and other wildlife, and urged the public to refrain from any actions that could worsen their situation.
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