News

Manatee Sightings Update: December 2023

Drs 2021 Manatees 4190 600

By Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate

Manatee season started at Blue Spring State Park on November 6, 2023, when our research team counted 76 manatees. The rest of November stayed pretty warm until Thanksgiving, when a cold front started bringing the manatees in. You can read the daily updates from our research team on our website at ManaTV.org, as well as on our social media channels.

Sightings Update: Blue Spring Adoptees

Manatee adoptee Moo Shoo nursing two calves in the protected warm-water sanctuary of Blue Spring on November 6, 2023.

Other Blue Spring Manatee Sightings

Mothers and calves are usually the first ones to arrive at the beginning of the season. We have already seen many new calves this season! Here is a video of manatees Peek a boo and Hannah with their little ones.
Our research team was especially excited to see manatee Chloe (not an adoptee) arrive at the spring with a calf in tow. Although Chloe has been visiting the spring since 2012, this is the first time our team confirmed her with a calf! Chloe was rescued two seasons ago for a flipper entanglement, which was quickly resolved, and she was released back at Blue Spring.
A large group of manatees visited the spring on a cool day in late October.
Della and Iris (not adoptees) are also among the manatee moms this year. Their calves seem to be the exact same size, and were seen playing together in the spring at the beginning of the season.

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Mating herds can oftentimes occur in very shallow water and the female may beach herself trying to get away from the males. Beached manatees should immediately be reported to FWC at 1-888-404-3922.

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