A Bradenton Police Department drone pilot recently captured a rare and heartwarming scene along the Manatee River near Bradenton Riverwalk, as My Sun Coast reported. Not one, but two manatees drifted through the calm water. A playful dolphin even joined the group as if it wanted to be part of the celebration.
The timing could not be better. November is Manatee Awareness Month. Florida officials use this period to remind boaters to slow down, stay alert, and respect manatee protection zones. These gentle animals often move toward warmer water as temperatures drop, which brings them closer to busy boating areas.
Sadly, early data shows that manatee deaths for 2025 have already exceeded totals from the last two years. That makes every reminder and every sighting even more important. When a drone can help raise awareness, it matters. A single overhead clip can show people what is at stake in a way nothing else can.
If anyone spots a manatee that looks injured or distressed, the Florida Fish and Wildlife hotline is open around the clock. Quick action can save a life.
Florida’s Gentle Giants Under Pressure
Florida manatees are massive creatures. Many reach 1,200 pounds and can live for sixty years or more. They glide slowly through rivers, springs, and coastal waters, spending much of their day eating seagrass. Their calm nature has earned them the nickname sea cows.
But life for these animals has become harder. Much of their habitat has been damaged or destroyed by development along the coast. Pollution has washed into rivers and bays, feeding algal blooms that choke out sunlight and kill seagrass. In places like the Indian River Lagoon, entire seagrass ecosystems have collapsed. Thousands of manatees have starved in recent years because their food source simply disappeared…