At 10am on 27 June 2018, researchers studying dolphins in a Belize mangrove, witnessed a gruesome spectacle. First, a group of four bottlenose dolphins separated a baby manatee from his mother. Then, one of them attacked the calf, biting it over and over again, and ramming it out of the water. The youngster later died […]
Tag: manatee
Local groups drive creation of new Puerto Rico marine protected area
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico recently gained a new marine protected area off the island’s central north coast. The MPA, named Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí or the Vega Baja and Manatí Underwater Gardens, spans 202 square kilometers (77 square miles) and is the culmination of a 16-year effort by a coalition […]
Florida residents shocked to discover a manatee in a man-made lake as biologists scramble to figure out how it got there
South Florida residents were shocked to discover a manatee swimming in a man-made lake last week as biologists theorize how the animal ended up so far from home. A resident captured a video of the animal swimming in a lake west of Fort Lauderdale last week, about 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean where the […]
Tragedy as 65-year-old manatee, Juliet, dies at Tampa zoo just four months after being rescued from seaquarium facing allegations of improper animal care
One of the world’s oldest known manatees has died, four months after being rescued from desolate conditions at the infamous Miami Seaquarium. Officials from ZooTampa at Lowry Park announced the death of 65-year-old manatee Juliet on Sunday after exhibiting declining health conditions over the past week. Juliet and her mate Romeo were rescued from the […]
Florida Manatees Face a Warm Water Dilemma Amid Renewable Energy Shift
In an environmental twist, Florida’s manatees, known for their gentle nature, face a precarious future as their reliance on power plants for warm water collides with the state’s transition towards renewable energy. These marine mammals, affectionately dubbed “sea cows,” have found solace in the artificially warmed waters discharged by power plants, a critical adaptation since […]
Snuggly Manatee Latches onto Snorkeler’s Leg
Florida’s Crystal River is renowned for its aquatic wonders, and for Kendra Nicole, an aquatic tour guide, every day brings a new adventure. Recently, Kendra shared a heartwarming encounter she had while snorkeling, revealing a unique connection with one of the river’s residents. In a TikTok video that quickly went viral, Kendra captured the moment […]