Save the Manatees!
The manatee swam closer and bumped up against the boat, threatening to swamp it. Julia held on to the sides and rocked with the boat, but the manatee was not put off by the collision, and instead swam back a few feet and watched her placidly, looking for all the world like, well, like a large wet cow blocking her path.
“Shoo, shoo.” Julia took off her bonnet and waved it at the creature. The manatee must have considered it an invitation, for it swam back to her and before she realized such a monster could move so quickly, snatched the bonnet out of her hand. Soon the calico was being chewed alongside the greens, a colorful sea salad.
“Aaargh! Go away, you beast!”
“Now, that’s not a polite way to say good morning, darlin’.”
Today is #ManateeAppreciationDay, though I like to think in Florida we appreciate our official state mammal every day. Manatees are gentle creatures, a valuable part of our ecosystem. Sadly, their biggest threat is from humans, especially human boat propellers.
Some years are better than others for the sea cows, but we're hopeful that with enough (human) education and protection of their habitats that the manatee will be with us for many more years.
Some years are better than others for the sea cows, but we're hopeful that with enough (human) education and protection of their habitats that the manatee will be with us for many more years.
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