Manatee ‘distress’ reported; behavior likely related to mating
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a report of a possible manatee in distress in the Norfolk Canal, between Cape Coral Parkway and Bikini Court at about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Officials reported that a biologist was on the way to look into the situation, but it was likely that a herd was mating due to at least three manatees being identified by witnesses. On Monday, the FWC had received a report of a mating herd observed about three miles north of the location. Officials noted that manatee mating behaviors can exhaust the female and appear aggressive to the general public.
Anyone who sees a dead or distressed manatee is asked to call the FWC’s hotline at (888) 404-3922.