This special moment was captured last season in Crystal River — a mother manatee nursing her calf while they stayed warm in the natural springs. Manatee calves rely on their mothers for up to two years, learning how to navigate, feed, and survive on their own. The springs are a safe haven for these gentle giants during the colder months, and sightings like this remind us why protecting their habitat is so important. 🩶 On our passive observation tours, we get to witness manatees in their natural

Manatee Mating Herd Sightings It’s the time of year when manatee mating and calving activity is beginning to increase, and boaters and beachgoers may observe manatee mating herds in shallow, nearshore waters. Mating herds are composed of one female followed by a group of several male manatees. These herds may stay together for hours or even days at a time but are typically not stranded and therefore do not need assistance from humans. Make sure to keep your distance! While we normally think of m

SUCCESSFUL MANATEE RESCUE! This morning, Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued a very young manatee in Marathon, FL. The approximately 5-foot male calf was monitored without interference for over 24 hours to determine that he was, in fact, orphaned and not being cared for by an adult manatee. He was evaluated onsite by Dolphin Research Center Veterinarian, Dr. Scott Gearhart and is being transported to SeaWorld Orlando