While out for my morning bike ride, I stopped by a friends house on the bay, out of curiosity I went around the back of his house, there I was greeted with a sad sight. During the night, Luigi the injured Manatee, from the night before, was lying on the flats motionless. After further inspection it was determined that he died during the night from injuries sustained from a careless boater's propeller.
I called the proper authorities to report the Manatees death, a boat with FWC officers and two marine biologists were dispatched to the scene. The final result, we secured the Manatee to a tow line and he was towed to a nearby boat ramp where he will be hauled and taken to a facility to be destroyed.
REMEMBER, WHILE BOATING IN AREAS WHERE MANATEES ARE KNOW TO FEED OR TRAVEL, SLOW DOWN! BELIEVE ME, THE BOATER THAT HIT THIS MANATEE KNEW IT WHEN IT HAPPENED, I WONDER IF HE OR SHE WILL CHANGE THEIR BOATING WAYS.
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| Luigi lying motionless on the flats |
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| Those striations on his back are propeller cuts |
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One of two lungs that the Manatees have
The injuries were just too severe for him to have survived |
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| Florida Marine Enforcement |
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| Two Biologist surveying the scene and getting Luigi ready to be towed |
I have a feeling that this is a problem that will never go away. With every new generation of boaters comes a portion who throw caution to the wind and gun it whenever possible , not minding the fragile lives that live underneath.
ReplyDeleteHe sadly never had a chance.