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Manatee Sightings Update: August 2021

August 1, 2021 | ,
A nice photo of a manatee mom and calf pair seen on the webcams at Blue Spring this summer.
A nice photo of a manatee mom and calf pair seen on the webcams at Blue Spring this summer.

There have been quite a few sightings this summer at Blue Spring State Park, including eight new calves! Enjoy the photos and videos documenting the manatee visitors, and check out our new video on crocodiles, alligators, and manatees in collaboration with Action Miami.

Watch more videos from the manatee season on our Webcam page. Several of the manatees featured are in our Adopt-A-Manatee® program. (All SMC activities conducted under permit # MA791721-5.)

On May 13, 2021, manatee Annie came to Blue Spring State Park with a little newborn calf in tow. This is Annie’s 5th calf! Please remember to give mothers and calves space and do not approach or harass them. Calves depend on their mom for 1-2 years before being weaned. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021.
Music: Chris Zabriskie, “Prelude No. 23,” FreeMusicArchive.org.)
This short clip shows how pregnant Annie was when she visited Blue Spring on December 20, 2020. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021)
Manatee adoptee Lenny stopped by for a short summer visit on June 29, 2021, at Blue Spring State Park! (Video recorded with our above-water webcam. ©Save the Manatee Club.)
Gator made a summer visit to Blue Spring on June 7th.
Margarito is seen on June 8th at Blue Spring.
Adoptee Lily was also spotted on July 12th.
Her many scars identify Phyllis, who was sighted on the webcam on June 15th at Blue Spring State Park.
Alligators and crocodiles are known for being fearsome predators in the animal kingdom. Manatees, however, are polar opposites, as they aren’t aggressive towards animals. Lucky for them, gators and crocs behave peacefully with their manatee neighbors. Manatees share the same habitat as the crocs and gators of Florida, and they seem to enjoy each other’s company!
A subadult manatee makes a summer visit and checks out some floating vegetation at Blue Spring on May 15, 2021.
Peek-a-boo and her new calf on June 17th at Blue Spring.
Ann the manatee and her calf were seen on July 12th at Blue Spring by volunteer Jackie Cheers.
Many people see manatees covered in fish on our webcams and ask, “What are these fish?” and “How do they affect manatees?” Watch our short video featuring Dr. Missy Gibbs from Stetson University to learn more about armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) and manatees at Blue Spring. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021. Music: Kevin McLeod “Fretless.” Freemusicarchive.com)
Manatees are often hard to see in the water. Here are a few quick tips from our new video on how to spot them. Remember to report sick, injured, orphaned, and dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-3922. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021. Music: Steve Gruskin)

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