Have you ever seen a manatee in the wild? Here's your chance to take a closer look at manatees by watching some underwater footage filmed by researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey Sirenia Project. You can also watch an award-winning video documenting manatee harassment and see proper manatee viewing guidelines as well as our public service announcements at our YouTube page. Just click on the links or pictures below.

Underwater Manatee Footage-1
(2 minutes)

See a female manatee and calf and follow them as they join other manatees at a warm water aggregation (gathering) site at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, FL. Notice how the calf nurses from behind the mother's flipper. And watch for a great "synchronized swimming" moment when the mom and calf surface to breathe in unison.

Underwater Manatee Footage-2
(2 minutes)

Get an up close and personal view of manatees at the Blue Spring State Park aggregation site. See how they use their flippers to maneuver and watch for a great closeup shot that shows the manatee's sparse hair -- one of the characteristics that distinguishes them as mammals.

Underwater Manatee Footage-3
(2 minutes)

In this section, the mom and calf join us again. How do we know it's them? Because the mother has a scar on her right side. Manatee researchers use these scars to identify individual animals. Also, watch how the manatees use their paddle-shaped tails to swim.

Choice for Change
(5 min. 20 seconds)

Videographer Mark Santa-Maria won an award at an international underwater film competition for his video Choice for Change, which documents several incidents of manatee harassment.

Manatee Viewing Guidelines
(1 min. 45 seconds)

Created by Tracy Colson and Mark Santa-Maria, this short video gives excellent tips on what to do if you swimming or diving and you see a manatee.

Jimmy Buffett Public Service Announcement
(30 seconds)

John Lithgow Public Service Announcement
(30 seconds)

Hoot Public Service Announcement
with Carl Hiaasen and Wil Shriner
(30 seconds)