News

Coastal Adoption Update

By Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate

The summer months once again had lots of manatee mating herds on both Florida coasts, with many manatees procreating in shallow coastal waters and interested onlookers watching the spectacle or even calling it in to the police. Remember, manatee mating is natural behavior and no reason for concern. Mating herds usually consist of one receptive female and a large number of males following her around for several days. It is key to observe passively and from a distance and not to interfere with the manatees, both for their benefit as well as your own safety.

Oftentimes, adoptee Jemp can be spotted in mating herds on Florida’s west coast, but our partners did not have any sightings to report for him, Flicker, Elsie, Vector, or Ginger at this time. On the other coast, Chessie, Zelda, and Illusion remained elusive, and the only adoptee spotted was Millie in the Silver River in late June. This sighting came in through a short video on social media, and the clear water of the Silver River, in addition to Millie’s sheer size and easily recognizable features (her forked tail and hourglass-shaped scar on her head), made it easy to ID her. However, please remember to observe manatees from a distance and do not approach them for a photo or video opportunity. You can report sightings of healthy manatees at savethemanatee.org/sightings. Who knows—an elusive adoptee might be among them!