WATCH // EXPLORE // CRAVE
A Manatee Haven From mid-November through March, hundreds of manatees seek refuge in the warm spring waters of Blue Spring State Park. // B Y M E L I S S A P E T E R S O N
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lue Spring State Park is home to a first-magnitude spring that is one of the largest winter gathering sites for manatees in Florida. Visitors can see hundreds of manatees enjoying the constant 72-degree spring water during the colder winter ALTHOUGH THERE ARE STILL months. “Manatees MANY THREATS TO MANATEES— depend on warm HABITAT LOSS, POLLUTION, water for survival,” says Erin McDade, ALGAE BLOOMS AND COLLISION deputy press records WITH WATERCRAFT—BLUE secretary for the to the Florida Florida Department SPRING STATE PARK SERVES Fish and Wildlife of Environmental Conservation AS A SAFE HAVEN FOR THESE Protection, “as Commission they have a low GENTLE CREATURES. and the U.S. tolerance for water Fish and Wildlife temperatures Service. Park rangers also closely monitor the lower than 68 degrees for long periods of species to track migration, travel, physical time. Although manatees look blubbery, they health and other behaviors. have only about an inch of fat and a very slow “The park is also an ideal location to release metabolism, meaning they cannot easily stay manatees back into the wild after they have warm. This biology makes sanctuaries such as been rehabilitated from sickness or injury,” Blue Spring vital for their survival.” says Erin. “Because manatees can easily be The number of manatees visiting the park monitored in the spring and the surrounding has grown significantly, from about 36 animals waters, researchers can make sure they adapt when research began in the 1970s to over 500 to life back in the wild.” animals today. Although there are still many To protect migratory manatees, the spring threats to manatees—habitat loss, pollution, algae blooms and collision with watercraft—Blue run at Blue Spring State Park is closed to all water activities from Nov. 15 to March 31. The Spring State Park serves as a safe haven for boardwalk, however, provides a wonderful these gentle creatures. opportunity for safely observing the manatees. During the winter months, park staff “Blue Spring State Park is unique because perform daily surveys to count the manatee visitors can view manatees in the crystalpopulation in this area and report these
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Photo courtesy of Florida State Parks
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clear spring water from the boardwalk, which stretches 1/3 of a mile from the St. Johns River to the headspring,” says Erin. “Visitors can see manatees socializing and mothers nursing their small calves without influencing the manatees’ natural behavior or bothering them.” Blue Spring State Park frequently reaches capacity during the week and on the weekends, during both the winter and summer months. To avoid waiting, visit the park early, as it will close for admission once capacity is reached. On Saturday, January 22 and 23, from 9am5pm, visitors can celebrate the manatees at the 36th Annual Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival. The event features displays from local environmental groups, food and dancing, arts and crafts vendors, the famous Frisbee dogs and a children’s area. Learn more about the event on the park’s website. Blue Spring State Park // 2100 W French Ave., Orange City // (386) 775-3663 // floridastateparks.org