Manatees are Florida’s gentle giants and are a sight to behold. They are state and federally protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 according to FWC. These gentle giants are Florida’s true natives, and we need to be respectful of these creatures when entering water ways. The goal is to actively co-exist with Florida wildlife. To properly do this we must first learn where we can find manatees, why we can find them in freshwater during the winter months, what they eat, and how we can protect these gentle creatures.  
 
Learn More:

Florida Manatee Facts and Information - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/facts-and-information/
Manatee Overview - https://www.fws.gov/species/manatee-trichechus-manatus
Marine Mammal Commission: Florida Manatee
- https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/florida-manatee/
Where Can I See Manatees in Florida? https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/where-to-see/


How You Can Help:

Boaters should practice best boating practices by adhering to manatee caution signs, no wake zones, and watching for a manatee’s swim patterns.
Keep a safe distance if you do see a manatee.
Report injured, orphaned, entangled, distressed or dead manatees to the FWC WIldlife Alert Hotline 888-404-3922.  You can also download their app, “FWC Wildlife Alert”. You can text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the situation. You can also submit a tip at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert
Monitor fertilizer runoff from yards that back into a known manatee area. 
You can support manatee conservation indirection through the “Save the Manatee License Plate”

Sources for this Episode:

Florida Manatee Facts and Information - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/facts-and-information/
Manatee Overview - https://www.fws.gov/species/manatee-trichechus-manatus
Marine Mammal Commission: Florida Manatee - https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/florida-manatee/


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