For Immediate Release: March 23, 2005

Note: A high resolution (300 dpi) jpeg photo of a manatee is available upon request.

SMC Communications & Outreach Coordinator Janice Nearing (center) presents the educational display to Sally Lieb, Park Manager (right) and John Lohde, Park Specialist (left) at Manatee Springs State Park. (Photo by Terry Nearing)

Save the Manatee Club recently donated a manatee display to Manatee Springs and Fanning Springs State Parks for use in their ongoing efforts to educate park visitors and further protect the wild manatees who seek the warmth of the springs during the winter months. Visitors come to the parks near Florida’s Gulf Coast, located in the “Big Bend” area, to enjoy the hardwood wetlands, the scenic Suwannee River, and to hopefully catch an unforgettable glimpse of an endangered manatee or two.

The three foot tall glass panel display highlights the dangers manatees face day-to-day in Florida’s busy waterways, and what people can do to help them survive into the future. A variety of photos portray the gentle giant’s precarious existence. “Less than a week after receiving Save the Manatee Club’s generous donation, at least two of our Rangers have indicated that they are revamping their existing manatee programs to include the great display,” says John Lohde, Park Specialist. “We support Save the Manatee Club’s efforts, and we’re very thankful to have the display,” he added. Park Ranger Renee Waldo described the exhibit as “fabulous.”

December through March, Manatee Springs offers a ranger-guided paddling program every Wednesday, during which they highlight the local flora and fauna as well as information on manatees and “manatee watching etiquette.” The park designates January as Manatee Awareness Month.

Sally Lieb, Park Manager, explains that the reason guided tours are offered December through March is because the spring run is closed to all boats at that time, including canoes and kayaks. Visitors can go out, but only with a ranger. “Some folks are not manatee-friendly, jabbing at the manatees with their paddles or splashing to make them move,” said Lieb. “I observed manatees moving back into the colder river waters because of that behavior or excessive canoe traffic. That was the reason for the seasonal closure of the spring run to unaccompanied canoes and kayaks.” Lieb said the date choices were based upon the fact that the river temperature drops below 68 degrees during that time frame.

The safety of the manatees in the spring is a concern to the park staff. The East side of the Suwannee River adjacent to the river pavilion at Manatee Springs has been a safe haven for manatees for several years. According to Lohde, during that time no manatees have been injured in or near the protected area, and he feels the proactive manatee education program during the winter months is partially responsible for an effective protection strategy.

“When people come to the parks to see manatees, it’s often a thrill for them when they realize that the object of their curiosity is truly a giant creature with no inclination to harm them in any way,” Lohde states. “Why would anyone want to hurt manatees?” is the question he hears frequently asked by first time manatee viewers. “Personally,” Lohde adds, “I am still struggling for a responsible answer to such a poignant question.”

###