Adopted Manatees Arrive at Warm Water Areas in Florida

Ranger Wayne Hartley takes manatee "roll call" at Blue Spring State Park (Photo © Kim Walker Stanberry)

For Immediate Release: December 11, 2003

Ranger Wayne Hartley reports that the cool weather in Florida has brought manatees to Blue Spring State Park. Save the Manatee Club adoptees Dana, Doc, Floyd, Howie, Lily, Lucille (with a new calf), Merlin, Nick, Paddy Doyle, Phillip, Phyllis (with a new calf), Robin, and Elaine have all made an appearance. Elaine is especially exciting news as this is her first appearance in three years!

In other exciting news, Ginger, one of the Save the Manatee Club Tampa Bay adoptees, was sighted near Marco Island on October 17. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission volunteer Helmut Nickel reported that he could clearly see the large scar on her left side that is one of her distinctive markings. The last time Nickel saw Ginger was in July 2001. In addition, Elsie, another Tampa Bay adoptee, was recently spotted at Tampa Electric warm water discharge area. Read more about the manatee adoptees and the Adopt-A-Manatee program.

In the November 2003 edition of the Save the Manatee Club newsletter, we reported on Palma Sola, a rehabilitated cold stressed manatee who was released in February 2003 in Salt Creek, a tributary of the Myakka River in Florida. The good news is that Palma Sola has found his way home to Salt Creek! Read more about Palma Sola.

Check back this winter for other manatee sightings. We'll keep you posted!