- Blue Springs State Park in Florida records its largest-ever manatee count, with 932 manatees counted in the area.
- Manatees gather at the park during winter due to its constant 72-degree Fahrenheit water temperature, which provides warmth.
- Manatees face challenges such as mortality events, including red tide blooms, watercraft collisions, and a decline in food sources, prompting the need for conservation efforts.
Additional Coverage:
Florida manatees at Blue Springs State Park recently experienced a positive update as the park reported its largest-ever manatee count. The park counted 932 manatees in the area, nearly 200 more than their previous record of 736. The sighting occurred on the coldest morning of the season, with the river temperature at 58.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Manatees gather at Blue Spring State Park during the winter because the water stays at a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit, providing warmth. The park plays a vital role in the survival of manatees, as they cannot tolerate water temperatures colder than 68 degrees for extended periods.
Manatees in Florida have been facing an unusual mortality event since 2020. Last year, over 550 manatees died, with watercraft collisions and disease as the main causes of death. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found that approximately 20% of the deaths were linked to a significant red tide bloom in the state’s southwest. Red tide is a harmful algae bloom that produces natural toxins, which can be fatal for marine mammals. Manatees exposed to the toxins can experience paralysis, seizures, weakness, and difficulty surfacing for air.
Additionally, manatees have been struggling to find enough food, as seagrass and macroalgae sources have significantly declined. To combat this, the state has been providing supplemental food to the manatees, which has helped reduce the number of starving individuals. Although the unusual mortality event is ongoing, the state ended the supplemental feeding program at the end of 2023. Restoring seagrass and improving water quality are crucial for the long-term health and survival of manatees.