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
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.
We are continually inspired and grateful to our Volunteer Mana-team for the many hours they willingly give to support and help manatees.
2024 Manatee Art Contest: Cast Your Vote Now!
August 5, 2024
We’ve received so many wonderful submissions from a talented variety of artists! Now it’s your turn to help us choose the best in each category by voting for your favorite.
Manatee Sightings: August 2024
July 31, 2024
We usually don’t get a lot of summer sightings of our adoptees, but this summer has been a bit unusual so far!