A record number of manatees were counted at Blue Spring State Park Tuesday morning in Orange City.
Park staff counted 663 in spring run. That breaks the record last set in February 2021 when 624 manatees were recorded in the spring. Researchers from Save the Manatee Club shared today they spotted manatees from the Atlantic coast and beyond, which they believe is a great sign for their survival.
“Given this really high mortality along the east coast, knowing that there are at least some individuals that know other warm water sources and other habitats that is really really encouraging and we are really hoping that they are going to tell their friends and bring them along because you know this is a natural warm water source. And with everything that is going on on the Atlantic coast, what we are really hoping is that more manatees find their way to a protected sanctuary such as Blue Spring State Park," said Cora Berchem, a researcher with Save the Manatee Club.
Researchers believe if the weather stays the same, there could be even more manatees in Blue Spring over the next few days.
If you can't make it out to Blue Spring to see the marine mammals for yourself, you can check them out online on one of Save the Manatee Club's webcams.