Dolphin Tales: Manatees to return to bay
Starting Nov. 15 through April 1, manatees will gather in a tiny keyhole in Pelican Bay, located on the east side of Cayo Costa State Park just south of the state dock.
Beginning April 1, these gentle giants migrate from Southwest Florida to cooler Gulf waters, traveling as far as Texas. Because they are vegetarians, they must hug the coastline to feed on shallow-water seagrasses.
Manatees have a low reproductive rate, with one calf born every two to five years following a 13-month gestation period. While most migrate, some elderly, injured or nursing manatees remain in Southwest Florida for the summer.
Boaters are reminded that it is illegal to feed or give water to marine mammals. Well-intentioned actions attract manatees to vessels, increasing the risk of engine strikes.
If manatees are nearby, boaters should slow down, shift engines into neutral and drift.
Capt. Cathy Eagle has spent over 45 years boating our local waters. As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. For more information, visit CaptainCathy.com or call 239-994-2572.