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In 1979, the late former Florida Governor Bob Graham first declared November to be Manatee Awareness Month.

Suggested Social Media Post: This year marks 45 years of celebrating Manatee Awareness Month in November! Let’s continue to #savethemanatee for future generations. @savethemanateeclub

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 30, 2024
Contact: media@savethemanatee.org, 407-539-0990

LONGWOOD, FL—This November marks the 45th anniversary of Manatee Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to celebrate Florida’s beloved state marine mammal and raise awareness of the ongoing threats to manatees and their aquatic habitat. Manatee Awareness Month was first declared in 1979 by the late former Florida Governor and Save the Manatee Club (SMC) co-founder, Bob Graham, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these gentle giants.

As temperatures drop across the country, manatees begin their migration to warmer waters, making November the ideal month to shine a spotlight on manatee conservation. Despite their large size, manatees have minimal body fat and cannot survive in cold water for extended periods. When water temperatures fall below 68°F, manatees seek refuge in warm-water sources like Florida’s natural springs or power plant outflows.

“Protected warm-water sanctuaries, such as Blue Spring State Park in Central Florida, are critical to manatees’ survival during the colder months,” says Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist and Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club. “As manatees migrate to their winter refuges, it’s essential for the public to stay vigilant, especially when boating or participating in water activities. Everyone plays a role in ensuring manatee safety and reporting distressed individuals to the appropriate authorities.”

This time of year also marks the return of the Club’s live manatee webcams, which allow viewers around the world to watch manatees in their natural habitat, offering a unique glimpse into their underwater world. You can watch wild manatees seeking warmth at the protected sanctuaries at Blue Spring and Homosassa, as well as manatees and a multitude of other animals on the Silver Spring cameras throughout the winter by tuning in 24/7 on ManaTV.org. Pre-recorded highlights stream overnight or when the cameras are down for maintenance.

Boaters, paddlers, and waterfront property owners can further support manatee safety by requesting free materials such as waterway signs, boating banners, and waterproof decals with instructions on how to report a manatee in distress. These resources are available at savethemanatee.org/resources.

If you spot a manatee that appears to be sick, injured, entangled, orphaned, or harassed, or if you see a manatee fitted with a tracking device, it should be reported immediately to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) by calling 1-888-404-3922 or texting “FWC” along with relevant details to 847411.

This 45th Manatee Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the progress made in manatee conservation and the continued need for vigilance to protect these iconic animals for future generations. We hope you are inspired to join us this November to celebrate Manatee Awareness Month by taking action to protect these gentle giants and their habitats. Together, we can make a difference and a lasting impact by continuing the legacy of protecting manatees for future generations. To learn more, please visit savethemanatee.org/MAM.

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Save the Manatee Club, established in 1981 by the late renowned singer-songwriter, author, and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett, along with the late former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, is dedicated to safeguarding manatees and preserving their aquatic habitat. For more information about manatees and the Club’s efforts, visit savethemanatee.org or call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).