Thirsty Florida Manatee Taps Police Boat for a Drink of Water
Greetings to you! Okay, it’s true that manatees love to travel around and their travels can leave them thirsty. However, this is the first time a manatee was caught stealing fresh water from a Bradenton Police boat. Their marine unit “was wrapping up patrol and rinsing a boat when an unexpected ‘dock inspector’ showed up for a drink.”
The image above shows the manatee under the police boat, drinking fresh water “as it falls from the vessel into its mouth.”
Below is the police department’s post on X …
X Post – Bradenton Police Department
Marine Unit Officers Emrich & Eades were wrapping up patrol and rinsing the boat when an unexpected “dock inspector” showed up for a drink. Yes – a manatee. And no, she did not ask permission. As cool as it was, here’s the important part: manatees love fresh water, but we should never give it to them or encourage them to come close. That makes them associate people and boats with handouts – which puts them in danger. We skipped the citation (she refused to provide ID) and waited for her to clear out before docking. Because even when they’re breaking the rules, manatees still get the right of way.
Police said, “Manatees love fresh water, but humans should never give it to them or encourage them to come close. Doing so could cause the large sea creatures to associate people and boats with handouts, putting them in danger.”
Officers waited for the manatee to clear out before docking.
To learn more about manatees, below is an awesome award-winning Kobee Manatee®book for children…
Synopsis: In late September, Kobee Manatee® is on a twelve-hundred-mile mission to get back home to Florida from Cape Cod, Massachusetts before the impending cold threatens his life. On his southbound journey, he meets two new friends: Tess the seahorse, who loves to learn, and Pablo the hermit crab, who is in search for a new shell. Will Kobee and his friends make it to Florida in time? Children learn all about manatees and their habitat!
We Have Excellent Reviews for Kobee Manatee!
“Children can learn a great deal about manatees and their habitat by reading about Kobee and his friends and their traveling adventure.” – Dr. Katie Tripp, Director of Science and Conservation, Save the Manatee Club
“This luxuriously illustrated, infectiously charming story makes us want to save the manatee and have a plush version to hug.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews
“A swimmingly fun, educational trip sure to be enjoyed by young friends of the manatee.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.” – Mom’s Choice Awards
If you are in Florida and you see a sick or injured manatee, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 1-888-404-FWCC. They are the folks who are responsible for rescuing us in Florida.
Here’s the Save the Manatee Club link to learn more about manatees …
https://www.savethemanatee.org
~ Robert Scott Thayer
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