Florida Police Warn People to Stop Touching Manatees While They're Mating: 'Do NOT Touch'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Sarasota Police Department

In a tweet shared recently, the Sarasota Police Department told the public that manatees were seen mating at South Lido Beach.

Adding a note from Mote Marine Lab, the SPDwrote, “If you see a manatee mating herd, observe respectfully from a distance. Do NOT touch.”

Those who see a “distressed” or “deceased” manatee are urged to call the lab’s hotline at 888-345-2335.

Data from theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC) shows thediresituation facing manatees in the state.

According to the FWC, between January 1 and July 2 of 2021, 841 manatees died.

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Earlier this year, it was reported that 1, 101 manatees died in Florida in 2021, according toCBS News.A majority of them starved to death.

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Manatees have been a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 2017, the FWC said on itswebsite. Before that, they were considered endangered.

source: people.com