|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Our site is 256 bit SSL SECURED. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is the industry standard for viewing and sending sensitive information
on an internet browser. Click on the SSL image below see our site report.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 To
report manatee harassment, injuries, deaths or orphaned calves, please contact the Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Resource Protection
Resource Protection hotline at 1-(888)-404-FWCC (3922).
Manatees are forced from their preferred habitats by boaters, divers, and people fishing. Such harassment can
lead to the separation of mother and calf. Harassment refers to any act which causes the manatee to change its
behavior and can include: pursuing, chasing, poking, prodding, grabbing, riding and even FEEDING a manatee.
Feeding manatees disrupts the normal foraging behavior and conditions them to accept food from people. Some
people may use this opportunity to feed them dangerous non-food items. The manatee was officially declared
endangered in 1973, as part of the original endangered species listing for the Federal Endangered Species Act
however, accounts of vandalism and even poaching have been reported and have resulted in several manatee deaths.
 Manatee Rules
- Do not pursue or chase a manatee when you encounter one while you're swimming, snorkeling, diving or operating a boat.
- Never poke, prod or stab a manatee with your hands, feet or any object.
- If a manatee avoids you, you should avoid it.
- Give manatees space to move. Don't isolate or single out an individual manatee from its group, and don't separate a cow
and her calf. Even a few moments of separation could result in loss of communication which could be fatal.
- Don't attempt to snag, hook, hold, grab, pinch or ride a manatee.
- Please respect these gentle giants, their one and only threat is humans.
- Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees. The sound of bubbles from SCUBA gear may cause manatees to
leave the area.
- Float at the surface of the water to passively observe the manatees.
- Fines up to $100,000 can occur if the rules are ignored.
- It is your duty to report any harassment or misfortune of these awesome creatures.
|
 |
If you need additional information or have questions,
we can be reached at our Contact Us page or visit our
Sign Up page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
