The crystal-clear waters of Florida’s natural are once again welcoming their beloved winter visitors. Manatees are making their annual journey to these warm-water refuges, creating one of nature’s most heartwarming spectacles. As temperatures drop across the Sunshine State, these gentle giants seek out the constant warmth that provide.
This year’s return has been nothing short of remarkable. The sheer number of manatees gathering in places like Blue Spring State Park and Three Sisters shows just how vital these sanctuaries have become. So let’s dive into this amazing story of survival, conservation, and the incredible bonds between manatees and Florida’s pristine .
Winter Migration Patterns Begin Early
November marks the official start of manatee season, which runs from November 15 through March 31. Visitors can see hundreds of manatees enjoying the constant 72-degree spring water in the colder winter months. The timing this year shows manatees arriving right on schedule, following their ancient patterns.
For the first cold snap of winter 2024, Blue Spring manatee researchers counted a high of 300 manatees on Sunday, November 24, and more than 200 on November 25 and 26. This early influx demonstrates how sensitive these marine mammals are to even slight temperature changes. The number will fluctuate with the weather during the winter.
Record-Breaking Numbers at Blue Spring State Park
In January, Blue Spring State Park saw a record 932 manatees seeking warm waters in the spring, beating their previous record on New Year’s Day of 736 manatees. This incredible milestone shows how successful conservation efforts have become over the decades.
The number of manatees visiting the park has grown significantly, from about 36 animals when research began in the 1970s to over 700 animals in 2023. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200, and by 2023 that number skyrocketed to a record 729. This dramatic increase reflects decades of dedicated conservation work.
The Critical Need for Warm Water Refuges
Manatees depend on the warm water for survival, as they cannot tolerate water temperatures colder than 68 degrees for long periods of time. Unlike other marine mammals, these sea cows have unique physical challenges that make warm essential for their survival.
Although manatees look “fat” or “blubbery,” they only have about an inch of fat and a very slow metabolism, meaning they cannot easily stay warm. If they are in water that is below 68 for any length of time, manatees can go into cold shock, which is like hypothermia. “Cold shock can be fatal for manatees,” Maia McGuire, UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant agent said.
Provide Life-Saving Consistency
“Spring water comes up from underground and is therefore at a relatively constant temperature, about 70 to 72 degrees, year-round. This natural consistency makes Florida’s perfect havens for manatees throughout the winter months. The in Kings Bay remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round.
Blue Spring State Park is home to a first-magnitude spring that is one of the largest winter gathering sites for manatees in Florida. About 18 percent of all manatees now use warm-water (principally Blue Spring on the St. John’s River and Kings Bay at the head of the Crystal River) to survive cold weather. These statistics highlight just how crucial these natural refuges have become.
Beyond Blue Spring: Other Important Spring Sanctuaries
Crystal River’s Three Sisters represents another vital manatee sanctuary. It’s a year-round favorite of mine, and in the winter, manatees come in huge numbers. I’ve counted more than 100 manatees in the area at one time. The popularity of this location among both manatees and visitors showcases its importance.
The manatee migration time, when you are most likely to see a manatee at this spring, is from November through February when the 72 degree spring water is warm relative to other bodies of water. Salt and Silver Glen in the Ocala National Forest also serve as critical refuges during the coldest months.
Conservation Success Stories Unfold
Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200, and by 2023 that number skyrocketed to a record 729.
As a result, in 2023, Florida manatees had the lowest mortality rate since 2017. “Florida’s manatee population continues to strengthen because of our record investments in manatee protection programs and water quality improvements,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. This progress demonstrates what dedicated conservation efforts can achieve.
Funding Makes the Difference
Governor DeSantis has prioritized funding for manatees and water quality improvements that enhance manatee habitats, investing over $50 million in manatee programs and more than $1.8 billion in water quality improvements since 2019. These substantial investments are paying off in concrete ways.
Additionally, Florida has invested $325 million to restore Florida’s world-renowned which serve as an important manatee habitat when the animals seek warmer waters in the wintertime. Governor DeSantis has also prioritized investments in water quality across the state, approving more than $1.8 billion for water quality improvement projects since 2019.
Population Trends Show Encouraging Signs
A new study highlights that Florida manatees are more numerous now than ever before, likely due to improved conservation efforts and environmental changes. Historic accounts reveal manatee populations increased in the 1800s and 1900s alongside human populations. A new study highlights that Florida manatees are more numerous now than ever before, likely due to improved conservation efforts and environmental changes.
Our estimate of statewide abundance for the 2021-2022 period is 8,350–11,730 manatees, with 3,960–5,420 on the west coast and 3,940–6,980 on the east coast. While these numbers show promise, researchers acknowledge significant uncertainty in population estimates.
Ongoing Challenges and Threats
Despite positive trends, manatees still face serious challenges. The past few years have been particularly harrowing for the sea cows’ survival, with deaths reaching 1,100 in 2021, 800 in 2022, 555 in 2023 and 490 so far this year, according to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The back-to-back years of unprecedented mortality were caused primarily by starvation, but recent years have seen manatees recovering slowly.
Although there are still many threats to manatees – habitat loss, pollution, algae blooms and collision with watercraft – Blue Spring State Park serves as a safe haven for these gentle creatures. On average, more than 100 manatees are killed by boaters in Florida every year. This number is expected to increase as Florida’s population continues to expand.
Research and Monitoring Programs
Due to the large number of manatees that use Blue Spring, the clear waters, and the easy visibility, the site has become a perfect location for researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey Sirenia Project to carry out photo identification of the manatees. Manatees are photographed and identified by their scar patterns to determine which manatees are returning to Blue Spring each year and construct manatee family trees that show the relatedness of many of the manatees that winter at Blue Spring.
The current manatee count for the season (it may change but not much) is 879 seen, 545 returned from last season, 26 returned from prior seasons, and there were 88 calves. The current manatee count for the season (it may change but not much) is 879 seen, 545 returned from last season, 26 returned from prior seasons, and there were 88 calves. This detailed tracking helps scientists understand population dynamics and family structures.
The Future of Spring Protection
As power plants are retired, it is unclear whether natural warm-water refuges – principally warm-water in the central and northern parts of the state and passive thermal basins in the southern part of the state – will be sufficient to support current numbers of animals. This challenge makes spring protection even more critical for long-term manatee survival.
Warm-water are believed to be the best natural winter habitats for manatees and most have either been blocked by dams or other structures, altered by construction, degraded by overuse, used intensively for recreation, or are subject to declining spring flow due to groundwater pumping for human consumption or agricultural use. These pressures require ongoing vigilance and protection efforts.
Florida’s manatees are writing one of conservation’s most inspiring success stories. Their return to the each winter represents more than just a natural phenomenon. It’s proof that dedicated conservation efforts, substantial funding, and community commitment can help threatened species recover. The gentle giants floating peacefully in crystal-clear spring waters remind us that sometimes, the most important victories happen quietly, one season at a time.
What’s your experience with Florida’s amazing and their manatee visitors? Have you witnessed this incredible winter gathering firsthand?
