For Immediate Release: October 31, 2003

Governor Jeb Bush recently issued a proclamation naming or designating November 2003 as “Manatee Awareness Month.” November is dedicated to Florida’s endangered manatee population to help educate Florida’s residents and visitors about protecting these unique marine mammals.

“The Florida manatee is the state’s official marine mammal and is a distinctive and valuable natural resource,” reads an official proclamation issued from the Governor. “The residents of Florida must be made aware of the plight of these endangered marine mammals.”

November is the time of year that temperatures generally start to drop in Florida. The return of winter also means the return of manatees to warm water sources throughout the state. Manatees are migratory animals and travel with the change in seasons. As the weather turns colder, manatees begin to travel to warm water sources in Florida such as freshwater springs and power plant effluents. “In spite of their large size, manatees have very little body fat and low metabolic rates,” says Patrick Rose, Save the Manatee Club Biologist and Director of Government Relations. “Young manatees are especially susceptible to cold temperatures. When water temperatures fall below 70 degrees, most manatees move toward or into warm water refuge areas.”

“Although manatees are endangered by human actions, they are also dependent upon future human action for survival,” states the Governor’s proclamation. “Cooperation among Florida’s public, private and government organizations is vital in the fight to save manatees.”

About 3,000 manatees currently remain in the United States. Manatees are listed as endangered by the state and federal governments and are protected federally by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.

If you spot an injured, dead, tagged or orphaned manatee, or if you see a manatee being harassed, please call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on your cellular phone, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.

See the governor's proclamation

For more information on manatees, go to http://www.savethemanatee.org/info.htm

For a free manatee protection tips packet, send an e-mail to education@savethemanatee.org