News

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Adoption Update

By Kate Spratt, Park Services Specialist, HSWSP

The cool weather of a Florida winter has been upon us for several months and the manatees have been visiting Homosassa Springs frequently. Some daily counts in January reached 200 or more manatees in the spring and spring run with numerous others in the warm waters just outside of the state park. We’ve also had some extremely low-water events that have kept manatees outside of the park in deeper waters. Not to worry, the water outside the park is still warm enough for them and the water levels came back up quickly. Manatee Watch volunteers have been hard at work keeping an eye on our paddle-tailed visitors, making sure that the manatees are able to get the rest and respite they need.

Ariel, Betsy, Heinz, and Piper are enjoying their heated pool on the cooler days. When they first moved from the spring run into the paddocks and pool area, the ladies quickly consumed all the aquatic vegetation that had sprouted. Piper has continued to improve her strength and has learned to navigate the spring from Ariel and Betsy. All four manatees can be viewed every day in the paddocks or the in-ground pool. Are you interested in giving a unique gift? Consider adopting Ariel or Betsy through Save the Manatee Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program!

Where are the best places to see manatees in our state park? The top level of the Underwater Observatory gives a great view of manatees resting in the spring boil and the surrounding shallow waters. This is the best place to see cow/calf pairs. The Long River Bridge gives visitors the opportunity to see manatees not only resting along the edges of the sanctuary but also an excellent view of them as they swim under the bridge and into the park. This is the best place to see active manatees. The final place to view manatees is at the observation deck at the Garden of the Springs. This view looks down the Homosassa River and many, many manatees rest in the deeper warm water.

Plan a visit to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where you can see our two adoptable manatees, attend a manatee program, and see our other resident wildlife.