SATELLITE BEACH — The Blue Springs manatees are better-known, but more than 130 manatees are huddling for warmth at the DeSoto canal in Satellite Beach.
Hundreds of people are flocking to the Space Coast canal to see the manatees gather to wait out the current cold snap away from the chilly Indian River Lagoon.
What You Need To Know
- More than 130 manatees are trying to get warm at DeSoto canal
- Hundreds of people are visiting the site in Satellite Beach
- Temperatures in the waterway are warmer than in the Indian River Lagoon
- Manatees are dying in large numbers, due partly to loss of their food source
Temperatures in the river water sinks to 68 degrees or lower and can trigger dangerous cold stress for manatees.
"Lots of them here, trying to stay warm," says Sara Parkin, whose family just moved to the area from Florida's Panhandle.
It's their first trip to see the manatees crammed into the canal.
The visit is a learning experience for children Luke and Ella.
"They pop up to get air, just like that one there right now," Luke points out. "They can stay underwater for 20 minutes."
"I think they're really cute," Ella adds.
The canal and its current residents are becoming a local tourist attraction as visitors take pictures and photos to remember the experience.
While it is a sight to behold, Melbourne's Leslie Rohrkaste wants people to be in the know about the mammals’ current plight.
"We absolutely need to do more," Rohrkaste says
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida manatee deaths marked a grim number in 2021, topping 1,000, and more than three hundred in the Brevard County portion of the Indian River Lagoon.
Algae blooms and pollution have killed about 90% of the seagrass, leaving the sea cows without their primary food source.
"We need to address the deeper issues of development and use of fertilizers and agricultural runoff," Rohrkaste says.
Federal and state officials have approved a plan to feed manatees on a limited basis to keep them from starving.