News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 10, 2024
Contact: media@savethemanatee.org, 407-539-0990

LONGWOOD, FL—Save the Manatee Club (SMC), alongside our partners from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), is actively monitoring the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. We extend our deepest concern to all those affected by this devastating storm, including our dedicated MRP partners, whose efforts will be vital in the coming days. As Florida natives, manatees are well-adapted to the extreme weather events in our state. However, they do face significant risk during powerful storms. Storm surges can cause manatees to go far inland to areas they would not normally inhabit, where they can become trapped when the water recedes. Even in areas that are typical manatee habitat across the state, such as Tampa Bay, Crystal River, Indian River Lagoon, and Sarasota regions, waters that recede to irregularly low levels can also leave manatees stranded.

“SMC will be in communication with our partners in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) to ensure that any injured or stranded manatees are rescued and rehabilitated following this catastrophic event. We urge everyone to remain cautious and only venture out once it is completely safe to do so.  When it is safe, we encourage residents to keep an eye on local bodies of water and look for stranded manatees. Stranded, injured, or dead manatees, as well as lone manatee calves, should be immediately reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by calling 1-888-404-FWCC (3922),” says Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist and Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club.

Click here to watch Save the Manatee’s video about Manatees and Hurricanes >>

For inquiries, please email media@savethemanatee.org or call 407-539-0990.

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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).