Florida Manatees Rebound To Record-Breaking Numbers

February 12, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Blue Springs State Park, Florida.

In a remarkable triumph for conservation efforts, Florida has announced significant achievements in manatee protection and water quality improvements, with more than $50 million invested since 2019.

Governor Ron DeSantis, during a recent visit to Blue Spring State Park, highlighted the state's dedication to preserving the iconic Florida manatees.

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Blue Spring State Park, a crucial sanctuary for manatees seeking warm waters during the winter months, witnessed a historic moment in January when a record-breaking 932 manatees were counted, surpassing the previous New Year's Day record of 736.

This underscores the positive impact of the state's ongoing efforts to enhance manatee habitats and safeguard their well-being.

Since 2019, the state has invested over $50 million in manatee initiatives and more than $1.8 billion in water quality enhancements. These measures have yielded promising results, as evidenced by the lowest manatee mortality rate since 2017, recorded in 2023.

"Florida’s manatee population continues to strengthen because of our record investments in manatee protection programs and water quality improvements," said Governor Ron DeSantis during a news conference at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City. "I am grateful for FWC for their proactive rescue and rehabilitation efforts."

Watch the good news video below.