As temperatures have dipped lower than usual for this time of year, a popular swimming spot in Florida was forced to close on Monday after a group of about 300 manatees congregated at Three Sisters Springs to enjoy the balmy waters.
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Experts say the manatees were using the spring as a warm water shelter.
The springs’ food sources are big attractions for manatees because the surrounding areas of Crystal River have become plagued by pollution, clouding the once pristine waters.
For more than two weeks the manatees have huddled at the springs 80 miles west of Orlando, prompting administrators to intermittently close the area to swimmers. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge noted on Facebook that the spring will stay closed until at least Thursday.
“Whenever the manatees need to come into the springs for their survival, they don’t want humans in the way, and then when they want to leave along with the tides, they don’t want humans in the way as well”, Wooten said.
But there’s no need worry if the animals do get close to visitors, as manatees are not known to be violent at all, he said.
Why? Because too many manatees were in their waters.
Three Sisters Springs has 72-degree waters where the manatees will be much more comfortable as they wait for winter to pass.
Monday afternoon wildlife officials announced that Three Sisters Springs would be closed so visitors would not disturb the manatees while they are resting.
In Florida, they might fuss a bit when the temperatures drop, but the chilly weather is actually great time for one outdoor activity, viewing Florida’s beloved manatees.
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The word manatee is derived from a Carib word meaning “breast”.
