Make Way for Manatees!

[arknoah]

Chessie the manatee was just sighted again in Calvert County. Chessie -- who was named for the bay -- was last sighted here in 1994, and was identified by his markings, which were probably caused by a propeller. Here’s the link to a news story in the Baltimore Sun:

Chessie the manatee is back in the bay - Baltimore Sun

Manatees are really cool animals which are endangered primarily because of our actions, such as invading their habitat and not being careful about boat speed in known manatee areas. During our winter trip to Florida in 2010, we kayaked among the manatees and learned a great deal about the habits of these animals, such as in Florida, they tend to stay in areas of less than 9 feet in depth, and are often close to the surface, which is why they are subject to collisions from boat hulls and propellers. In known manatee areas, boats are encouraged to go no more than 5 mph, to permit manatees to get out of the way when the boats are around. However, there are lots of people who don’t get that, and choose to speed everywhere. And other clods choose to chase the manatees around, often separating calves from their parents, or trying to ride on their fins. Don’t get me started on these yahoos.

Chessie is a manatee we know of because when my daughter was deciding which manatee she would adopt through the Save the Manatee Club (Save the Manatee Club), we considered Chessie because we live by the bay. However, we think Ilya (the manatee we adopted and the name of our boat) might be an even more famous manatee.

In any case, now that the book Make Way for Ducklings is now celebrating its 60th year, I think it’s time for a Make Way for Manatees book. What do you think?

[Captainmeme]

I use to live down in Florida. Got there around 1970 or so. Long before the tree huggers figured out how to make a buck or two off the manatees. On the weekend we use to catch one and BBQ it on the spoil islands in the ICW. You know their nickname is sea cow. Yep, cow of the sea and they do taste a bit like beef. Anyway they were once known as West Indie Manatees. I hear tell the manatee was brought over from the West Indies for a source of food the Flagler's railroad workers since cattle contacted a hoof rot disease in the wet lands of Florida. Manatess eat about 60 pounds of vegetation a day. Those plants were a place little fish could hide. Manatees are an invasive species much like fire ants and killer bees.

[TropicCat]

Owning a catamaran and docking on the ICW in Florida has resulted in many minor human injuries as a manatee or two has found shelter between my hulls. It's when they spout that causes me to be startled, hence the bumps on my head.

They are lovable creatures which deserve protection. If I could just find a way to hang a bell around their necks.....

[kd3pc]

IF they were actually endangered, perhaps some leeway, but after diving this winter near the nuclear plant on the rainbow river...they and the plant are quite happy together....

to even suggest that they bring that level of insanity to the Chesapeake or even some kids book...for what, TWO, maybe sightings in the last 20 years ...

OP, you do realize that they will die in cold water...i.e. Chesapeake...hope the big pig makes it back south for the winter...or perhaps with all this GW, they are going to thrive in the Bay...

Too much adoo, about nothing....why not write a book about sharks, or snakeheads...??

[tdw]

You should remember to add a smiley face to indicate attempt at humour. Otherwise impressionable people might just take you seriously.

Originally Posted by Captainmeme

I use to live down in Florida. Got there around 1970 or so. Long before the tree huggers figured out how to make a buck or two off the manatees. On the weekend we use to catch one and BBQ it on the spoil islands in the ICW. You know their nickname is sea cow. Yep, cow of the sea and they do taste a bit like beef. Anyway they were once known as West Indie Manatees. I hear tell the manatee was brought over from the West Indies for a source of food the Flagler's railroad workers since cattle contacted a hoof rot disease in the wet lands of Florida. Manatess eat about 60 pounds of vegetation a day. Those plants were a place little fish could hide. Manatees are an invasive species much like fire ants and killer bees.

[arknoah]

The most recent (January 2011) minimum count of Florida manatees was 4,480, while the record count made in January 2009 was 5,067. They are on the US endangered species list and the worldwide endangered animal list. They may not seem to be so endangered when they are seen congregating near power plants. They do so because of the warm water that is critical to them. Most manatees stay south throughout the year, and the vast majority that do travel northward during the summer months also make it back to the warmth before fall sets in and temperatures drop. The few who don’t such as Chessie in 1994 and Ilya in 2009 may need to be rescued. Unfortunately, without tools such as a calendar or watch, manatees sometimes miss the change of seasons or we simply have early cold snaps and the manatees move toward whatever warm water they can. The large numbers that might be near power plants should not be assumed to mask their very small numbers. I do hope that Chessie heads south before the fall.

The point of the Make Way for Manatees idea was really a metaphor, and not a suggestion that we set up a manatee sanctuary in Boston Common or the Chesapeake Bay -- though I see no reason a nice informative children’s book about manatees might not be well received. The unintended benefit of Chessie traveling so far north this year is that people who have never seen or heard of manatees might be more sensitized to their condition and be more active in helping to protect these animals. I can see, however, that not everyone appreciates metaphor.

[jjablonowski]

Another childrens' book on manatees???

A quick book search on Amazon turns up: I'm A Manatee, Mary Manatee A Tale of Sea Cows, Face to Face with Manatees, Diego's Manatee Rescue, etc., etc., ad nauseam...

[Captainmeme]

What, no "101 Recipes for Manatees" listed on Amazon?

[kd3pc]

Originally Posted by arknoah

They are on the US endangered species list and the worldwide endangered animal list.

yes, but not on the Florida state list, where they have done the most recent, reliable and non-political studies and counts.

Just because the US or wiki says something, does not make it so....

[knothead]

Originally Posted by Captainmeme

Manatees are an invasive species much like fire ants and killer bees.

"The Florida manatee is a native species found in all parts of the State."

Florida Manatee Program