'Record-Breaking' Number of Threatened Manatees Counted at State Park

Florida wildlife officials have counted a “record-breaking” number of manatees within Orange City’s Blue Springs State Park. According to a Facebook post from the park, 932 manatees were counted during a survey over the weekend. It breaks, by some distance, the previous record at Blue Springs State Park of 736 manatees counted, set just three weeks ago on New Year’s Day.

“Wow! Last time I went it was a record-breaking 800-something,” wrote Rose M. Wojcik on Facebook. “I love that so many of these beauties are thriving!”

Because they have very little body fat, manatees constantly seek out warm water, which is what’s bringing so many of them to Blue Springs. There, the average water temperature is about 72 degrees even during the coldest months.

If they remain in water below 68 degrees for longer than a few days, manatees will suffer “cold stress,” which can be fatal. Symptoms of cold stress manifest in the form of “bleaching on their skin, visible abscesses, unresolved sores, a heavy barnacle or algae load,” and abnormally low weight, according to Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). They might also appear fatigued or display heavy breathing. If you encounter a manatee experiencing these symptoms, you’re advised to call the FWC at 1-888-404-3922. Manatees are listed as a “threatened” species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, after being downgraded from “endangered” in 2017.

“This is telling of how cold it is,” Jennifer Dutko Kinney wrote on Facebook of the manatees’ migration. “I’m so glad they have this shelter and hope they all stay well and warm.”

You can check out the manatees at Blue Springs State Park live on the park’s manatee webcams.