Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Middle Keys Marine Deputy Willie Guerra was stopped Thursday by passersby and Florida Highway Patrol Troopers in Layton, who noticed a stranded manatee with a cub.
Deputy Guerra helped get them both back to deeper water
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is a large, slow-moving, aquatic mammal that is native to Florida.
It is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, which is also found in the Caribbean and along the northern coast of South America.
Florida manatees are social animals and often travel in groups of up to 10 individuals. They are also known to be very gentle and docile creatures.
Unfortunately, Florida manatees are an endangered species. The main threats to their survival are boat strikes, habitat loss, and water pollution.
There are a number of things that can be done to help protect Florida manatees, including:
- Reducing boat speeds in areas where manatees are known to be present
- Creating manatee-friendly boat wakes
- Protecting and restoring manatee habitat
- Reducing water pollution
If you see a manatee in distress or believe it is in distress, don’t try to resolve the issue by yourself! Please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission marine mammal hotline at 888-404-3922.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps