‘Very dangerous situation’: Watch mating manatees in Florida, but stay back, FWC says
Privacy, please.
Manatee mating season is in full swing and you know what that means: There’s a good chance you may spot these creatures engaging in entanglements.
If the manatees are rocking, don’t come knocking.
A recent post entitled “Give Mating Manatees Their Space!“ from the FWC includes a video of a recent actual session in Florida.
A female is in the shallows at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor, Florida, with at least three males attempting to mount her.
“If you encounter a herd, it’s important to watch from a distance as these large, strong animals are focused on mating,” says the post. “Bystanders that get too close could be seriously injured.”
In other words: Do not approach.
To the casual observer, the sea cows may look to be in distress, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The female has likely put some kind of pheromone in the water to attract suitors, says Andy Garrett, FWC’s Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, in the clip, calling the behavior “typical.”
And if you get in the water with them to grab a selfie, again, it could cause injuries — to you, not them.
“We ask that you stay back,” Garrett said. “It’s a very dangerous situation because you have 1,000-pound animals rolling on top of each other.”
Mating season starts in April and peaks in early fall.
If you see this type of activity, or something seems amiss like a female is injured, the FWC asks you to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
This story was originally published April 8, 2022 at 12:51 PM.
