Meet A Manatee: Howie
He's a wild and crazy guy!
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He looks innocent enough, but don't be fooled. Among the Blue Spring manatee population, Howie has earned the reputation for being quite a prankster. (Photo © Walker Stanberry/SMC)
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How do we begin to describe Howie? For starters, he is one of the most popular manatees wintering at Blue Spring State Park. And at 612 kilograms (1,350 pounds), he's not quite a ton, but still lots of fun. In fact, Howie has earned quite a reputation for being playful, fearless, and a bit of a prankster.
The most notorious story involves Howie, some researchers, a canoe, and water. (You probably see where we are headed here, right?) Yes, Howie tipped over a research canoe…with the researchers in it. Oh, and did we mention the canoe was full of equipment and cameras? Always interested in goings on at the park, Howie tracked the research canoe as it went up the spring run and then (innocently of course) bumped against it and tipped the canoe over, spilling researchers and equipment into the water.
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Showing us his best side.
(Photo © Walker Stanberry/SMC) |
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Researchers are able to identify Howie
by his distinctive scar patterns.
(Photo © Walker Stanberry/SMC)
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Howie is fearless and seems to like having his picture taken. In fact, researchers have noted that Howie will often nudge any other manatee out of the way when a camera is present. He is famous for appearing in an issue of National Geographic. In the magazine, Howie is taking biologist (and Save the Manatee Club Executive Director) Patrick Rose for an impromptu underwater barrel roll.
Like clockwork, Howie has been returning to Blue Spring every winter since he was first identified in 1971. He usually makes his first visit in December and departs for the season in March. As a matter of fact, Howie is one of the first manatees to show up for the season, and he is often one of the last to go. Howie is also socially inclined. When visiting the spring, he seems to like to hang out with “the guys,” and is
often spotted with Floyd, Lenny,
Brutus, Flash, Merlin, or Robin.
Like most adult manatees living in the wild, Howie has scars from boat collisions. He is easily identified by the scar that is shaped like an “X” on his back. But once you meet Howie, you probably won’t forget him -- or to pack the waterproof gear if you are venturing out in his neck of the woods. Ranger Wayne Hartley, who tracks the Blue Spring manatees, knows all too well. "When I'm in the run taking photos or measurements and I look up and see Howie has just come in and is looking at me," says Ranger Wayne, "my thought is: Go on Howie, up the run. Hug Lucille, hug a log, but PLEASE ignore me!"
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Howie naps out at Blue Spring State Park -- conserving energy for future escapades, no doubt!
(Photo © Walker Stanberry/SMC) |
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