TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding people to respect marked manatee zones.
In a Facebook post, FWC's Research Institute explains manatees spend approximately 90 percent of their time within the first six feet of water below the surface. This is why boaters are told to go slow and look out below when on the water so they don't hit them.
"Although these gentle giants are… giant, they can still be difficult to spot while boating," FWC leaders explain in the post.
Models show that around 96 percent of adult manatees have scar patterns from boats. The research institute says 1 in 4 adult sea cows have been hit by a boat 10 or more times throughout their life.
"Do your part and help keep them safe while out on the water!" the post reads, in part. "Always follow posted signage, designate someone to be a manatee lookout, and use polarized sunglasses when available."
A tip to spot manatees below the surface is to keep an eye out for "manatee footprints" which look like large circular swirls of water. This look on the water's surface is caused by the sea cows paddling their trail as they swim.
If a boat hits a manatee while boating or a manatee with a wound is spotted, people can call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 to report the animal in need.
