Additional Coverage:
- Florida residents were shocked to see a manatee swimming in their human-made lake. A biologist thinks she knows how it got there. (newsbreak.com)
In South Florida’s artificial lakes, residents recently observed the surprising presence of a manatee. Notably, a Cedarwoods neighborhood resident in Pembroke Pines captured video footage of the aquatic mammal which was later broadcast by WPLG Local 10. Earlier observations in late June indicated the possibility of the manatee being accompanied by its offspring.
Bill Barnett, a local resident who managed to record the sea creature, told the station, “This is the first one we’ve seen on the lake.”
The journey of the manatee from the Atlantic Ocean to an inland lake, which lies about 10 miles away, intrigued many. Despite the seemingly challenging navigation, Amber Howell, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, explained the existence of large underground culverts beneath roadways that facilitate manatee movement.
She mentioned that these pathways are sufficiently large for manatees to pass through safely. Additionally, a floodgate that normally remains open during the rainy season helped in the manatee’s migration to the lake.
These manatees, which are a sub-species of the West Indian manatee, often travel extensive distances in search of food due to past struggles with food scarcity exacerbated by algae blooms that destroy their primary food source, seagrass. Despite being marine mammals, manatees are adaptable to fresh, brackish, or salty waters and are regulars in both coastal and inland waters, searching for food and warmer conditions.
As herbivores, manatees in these environments benefit from abundant shoreline vegetation. Howell reassured there are no concerns regarding the manatee’s well-being as it has adequate sources of nutrition.
However, Howell cautioned residents against intervening with manatees they think might be in distress, as such actions can sometimes do more harm than good. Anyone concerned about a manatee’s welfare should contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline.
Manatees have been sighted in South Florida’s waters over the past several years, making this recent find significant yet not entirely unusual.