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Manatee Sightings Update: June 2023

June 1, 2023 | ,
Wayne Hartley, Manatee Specialist, and Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate, take "roll call" on a cold winter morning at Blue Spring State Park. Photo courtesy David Schrichte.
Wayne Hartley, Manatee Specialist, and Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate, take "roll call" on a cold winter morning at Blue Spring State Park. Photo courtesy David Schrichte.

By Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate
All activities conducted under permits DEP #02042213 and USFWS #MA791721-6.

Sightings Update: Blue Spring Adoptees

Adoptee Annie and her little calf have been visiting the spring a few times since manatee season officially ended on March 24. The pair is usually accompanied by another calf and a juvenile.
Adoptee Brutus made a brief, unexpected visit to Blue Spring on April 26, 2023.
A large mating herd was seen on May 6, including adoptees Brutus and Howie.
Howie made a brief surprise visit on May 6 and 7.
Nick made a brief, unexpected summer visit on May 15.

Sighting Update: Tampa Bay

Our partners from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) informed us that they saw Tampa Bay adoptee “Flicker” during their photo-ID work at the warm-water outflow of the Bartow power plant on January 30 and February 20.

Tampa Bay adoptee “Vector” was also seen by our partners from FWC on February 8 in Boca Ciega Bay, which is near St. Petersburg, just a little southwest of his winter home at TECO Apollo Beach. The only photo obtained was of Vector’s tail, but his scars gave him away shortly before he submerged

Updates on released manatees

The 12 manatees released at Blue Spring in February have spread out to explore their new surroundings. Scampi, Artemis, and Finch have occasionally stopped by Blue Spring.

Artemis

In this video, Artemis (bottom) can be seen following some wild manatees, which everyone had been hoping for. She had temporarily lost her satellite tracker, but researchers from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) were able to re-attach it.

Andy

While they are few and far in between, we do get some sightings of our “winter regulars” from Blue Spring during the summer. On April 25, manatee “Andy” (right) made a brief visit to Blue Spring alongside recently released manatee “Artemis”.

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Manatee Sightings Update: December 2025

December 3, 2025

Manatee Season at Blue Spring State Park started with big excitement with an adoptee giving birth!

Former race director Lesley Argiri and Save the Manatee Club Executive Director Patrick Rose give welcoming speeches to racers.

22nd Annual Save the Manatee 5K Recap

December 3, 2025

With perfect weather and plenty of manatees, the inaugural Save the Manatee 5K at Blue Spring State Park on Saturday, November 15 was a huge success!

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Your Kindness Still Carried Far: Giving ‘TEESday Impact Update 

December 3, 2025

While we did not reach our $45,000 goal this Giving ‘TEESday, your support made a meaningful impact that will carry forward into our 45th anniversary year.