Image Source: Giancarlo Yin at YouTube
It reads like a Sci-Fi story or a Clive Cussler novel. A spreading Algae – the Red Tide- is growing off the Florida gulf coast. This Red Tide is killing off manatees, steadily depleting the less than 5000 manatees in the world. The Florida Manatees are a sub species of the West Indian
Manatees and are on the ‘endangered species’ list from both the State and Federal Governments. The Red Tide algae produce a toxin that clings to the aquatic vegetation that is the staple food of these creatures. Once ingested, the toxins affect the animal’s nervous system, causing paralysis and fatal breathing problems.
Image Source: Giancarlo Yin at YouTube
Marine biologist Andy Garrett, who coordinates the Florida manatee rescue and recovery effort, says “Some animals that are compromised will actually be rolling at the surface trying to breathe, so getting to them before that happens, before they actually can’t get their head above water, is crucial.”
Florida Critical Care Pool
Manatees found unconscious are rushed to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo where they are kept in a “Critical Care Pool” which is an Animal Intensive Care Unit. It is a swimming pool filled with fresh water, and equipped with all kinds of handling facilities – and of course, no Red Tide!
It’s no easy task to treat creatures that weigh up to 2 tons and can be more than 10 feet long. Imagine injecting antibiotics into these massive creatures!
But with admirable courage and compassion, these gentle giants are treated and healed at this critical care pool at the zoo’s manatee hospital, before being released back into their natural habitat.
People in the State of Florida are advised to immediately notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation if they notice a distressed manatee.
More Florida Manatees
Image source: Rich Synowiec at YouTube
A friendly manatee frolics with a group of underwater adventurers in Crystal River, Florida.
Image source: Giancarlo Yin at YouTube
Above is a snapshot from a video of a family having a surprise encounter with manatees in Naples Florida.
