Meet A Manatee: Margarito
Curious, friendly, and social -- he'd be a great Parrot Head
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Ranger Wayne Hartley (at right), who tracks the manatees at Blue Spring State Park, says that Margarito will often come by the canoe to say “Hi” with a gentle bump. (Photo © Walker Stanberry)
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Named in honor of SMC Co-Founder Jimmy Buffett’s hit song Margaritaville, Margarito the manatee would fit in well with the Parrot Head crowd. He is known for being very curious, friendly, and social.
The son of Lily, who is also in Save the Manatee Club’s adoption program, Margarito was first identified when Lily brought him into Blue Spring State Park on November 24, 1984. Researchers estimated that he was about five to six months old at the time. Ranger Wayne Hartley, who tracks the manatees at Blue Spring, says the Club initially asked him to name a manatee calf Margarita. "That year, there were three calves, and
they were all male," says Ranger Wayne. "So that's how his name ended up with an 'o'."
Manatee mothers nurse their young for one to two years, so a calf may remain dependent on its mother during that time. The following winter, Margarito was weaned and on his own. It has been documented that many manatees have preferred habitats they return to each winter and, like his mother Lily, Margarito seems to prefer Blue Spring. He has visited the park every winter since he was first identified.
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| (top) Margarito lost his flipper after becoming entangled in fishing line. Researchers also identify him by the scars on his body and tail (bottom). (Photos courtesy U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project) |
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Margarito is easily recognized by researchers, but for a sad reason -- he is missing one of his flippers. Debris in the waterway, such as discarded fishing line and hooks and plastic bags, is dangerous to manatees and other wildlife because they can accidentally ingest it or become entangled in it. That’s what happened to Margarito, and his flipper became entangled in fishing line.
According to Ranger Wayne, Margarito was actually rescued because of entanglement several times. The first time, he was at Blue Spring, and one of the rangers was able to cut the line off him from a canoe. "A few years later, he came in with a bad line entanglement and spent three days at SeaWorld in Orlando to make sure they got it all," says Ranger Wayne. "After appearing to heal very well for one or two years, one day he came in with the flipper gone at the old entanglement scar, almost at the body." Still, Margarito seems to have adapted and can move around and eat using only one flipper.
Ranger Wayne relates another interesting story about Margarito. Once, when a manatee was reported dead just south of the park, Ranger Wayne had to go see if he could identify it. As you can imagine, this is not a happy task. But Margarito followed Ranger Wayne as he paddled out to the site and then remained there with him until he was done.
Margarito is often found in the company of other manatees, and his best buddy seems to be Brutus. They frequently travel in and out for the season together. Margarito also likes to hang out with “the guys” at Blue Spring and can often be found with Howie, Lenny, Flash, Floyd, Merlin, and Doc.
Last year, Margarito showed up at Blue Spring for the winter season on November 24th – the anniversary of his identification day. Ranger Wayne knew when he was there. He says Margarito likes to investigate the research canoe when the rangers do their morning manatee count and will often come by the canoe to say “Hi” with a gentle bump.
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| At left, Margarito rests submerged at the water bottom. At right, he gives a belly view, perhaps signalling the start of a barrel roll or other playful activity. (Photos courtesy U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project) |
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