Manatees are gentle, plant-eating aquatic mammals inhabiting Florida’s waterways and other warm coastal regions. These large, slow-moving creatures are shielded by comprehensive federal and state laws, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. Their protected status highlights the need for public awareness and prompt action when they are in need.
Recognizing a Manatee in Need
A manatee needing assistance will exhibit specific behaviors and physical signs. A distressed manatee might float unusually high, unable to submerge, often indicating a boat strike. Other signs of distress include fresh, open wounds, rapid breathing (e.g., every 30 seconds), or visible emaciation (e.g., prominent ribs or skull). Manatees might also appear lethargic, be stranded in shallow waters, or show signs of entanglement in fishing lines or debris. A lone calf is also considered a manatee in distress.
Harassment of a manatee involves any action that alters its natural behavior, such as chasing, touching, or feeding. Disturbing a resting manatee, separating a mother from her calf, or interfering with mating herds also constitute harassment. Even seemingly benign actions like providing water can be harmful. If a manatee is deceased, its body should be reported for necropsy to determine cause of death. When unsure whether a manatee is in distress or being harassed, report the sighting to authorities.
Reporting Guidelines
If you encounter a dead, distressed, or harassed manatee, prompt reporting to authorities is essential. The primary contact for such incidents in Florida is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline, available 24 hours a day at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Cellular phone users can also dial FWC or #FWC. For immediate marine emergencies, particularly those involving boating incidents, contacting the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16 is recommended.
When reporting, provide as much detail as possible to assist the rescue team. Key information includes whether the manatee is alive or dead, its precise location, and how long you have been observing it. Describing the manatee’s approximate size, any distinguishing features like scars or tags, and its observed behavior is also helpful. Providing the location of the nearest public boat ramp can aid in quick access for responders. Capturing photos or videos without disturbing the animal can offer valuable insights for biologists assessing the situation.
Actions to Avoid
When encountering a manatee, it is important to understand what actions are prohibited to ensure their safety and avoid legal penalties. Manatees are protected under federal and state laws. These laws prohibit any activity that harasses, harms, pursues, or disturbs manatees.
Prohibited actions include touching, feeding, or offering water to manatees, as these can alter their natural behaviors, potentially leading them to lose their natural fear of boats and humans. Pursuing, chasing, or disturbing a manatee, separating a calf from its mother, or attempting to ride the animal can cause significant stress and physical harm. Poking, prodding, or blocking a manatee’s path are also illegal and detrimental. Such interactions can lead to propeller strikes or entanglement, risking injury or death. Violations can result in fines up to $500 and/or 60 days imprisonment under state law, and up to $100,000 in fines and/or one year in prison under federal law.
Manatee Conservation
Public reporting of manatee incidents is an important part of broader conservation efforts. Each report contributes valuable data that helps wildlife agencies monitor manatee populations and understand the threats they face. This information supports timely rescue and rehabilitation programs for injured or sick individuals, increasing their chances of survival.
Manatees face several challenges, with boat strikes being a leading cause of human-related fatalities. Habitat loss, particularly the destruction of seagrass beds that serve as their primary food source, and the loss of warm water refuges during colder months also pose significant threats. Harmful algal blooms, such as red tide, and entanglement in fishing gear further endanger manatees. The data collected from public reports is essential for scientific research, informing policy changes, and implementing strategies to protect the species and its habitat for future generations.