Manatee Sightings Update: June 6, 2023

by Cora Berchem, Director of Multimedia and Manatee Research Associate

All activities conducted under permits DEP #02042213 and USFWS #MA791721-6.

Brutus

Adoptee Brutus made a brief, unexpected visit to Blue Spring on April 26, 2023. He was also seen in a mating herd at the park in May. Scroll down to see that video!

Annie & Calf

Adoptee Annie and her little calf have been visiting the spring a few times since manatee season officially ended on March 24. The pair is usually accompanied by another calf and a juvenile.

Flicker

Our partners from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) informed us that they saw Tampa Bay adoptee “Flicker” during their photo-ID work at the warm-water outflow of the Bartow power plant on January 30th and February 20th.

Vector

Tampa Bay adoptee “Vector” was also seen by our partners from FWC on February 8 in Boca Ciega Bay, which is near St. Petersburg, just a little southwest of his winter home at TECO Apollo Beach. The only photo obtained was of Vector’s tail, but his scars gave him away shortly before he submerged

Updates on released manatees

The 12 manatees released at Blue Spring in February have spread out to explore their new surroundings. The public can follow their whereabouts online and read about their progress at manateemap.org.
Scampi, Artemis and Finch have occasionally been stopping by at Blue Spring.

Artemis

In this video Artemis (bottom) can be seen following some wild manatees, which everyone had been hoping for. She had temporarily lost her satellite tracker, but researchers from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) were able to re-attach it.

Andy

While they are few and far in between, we do get some sightings of our “winter regulars” from Blue Spring during the summer time. On April 25, manatee “Andy” (right) made a brief visit to Blue Spring alongside recently released manatee “Artemis”.

mating Herd at Blue Spring

A large mating herd was seen on May 6 incl. adoptees Brutus and Howie.

Howie

Howie made a brief surprise visit on May 6 and 7.

Nick

Nick made a brief unexpected summer visit on May 15.