A manatee drinks from a hose at a dock at Island Moorings in Port Aransas on Monday, Oct. 4. (Courtesy photo.)
A rare sighting of a manatee was made at a canal at Island Moorings in Port Aransas today (Monday, Oct. 4).
The big, gentle creature surfaced at a private dock and remained there from about 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., drinking fresh water from a hose, according to Greg Stunz, who lives in the neighborhood and witnessed the event.
Stunz is a professor of marine biology and endowed chair for Fisheries and Ocean Health at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
The manatee appeared to be 7 to 8 feet long and weighed probably about 400 to 500 pounds, Stunz said.
The animal had injuries that didn’t appear to be fresh but were severe enough that a rescue effort was discussed today by wildlife authorities, according to Stunz. However, he added, it is possible no such effort will be made because the manatee, at last report, had swum away, disappearing beneath the murky surface of the canal waters.
The cause of the manatee’s injuries wasn’t known, but it is common for manatees to be hit by passing boats. One of the injuries was a deep cut to its right flipper.
Manatees appear in Port Aransas waters only every other year or so, Stunz said. It’s not surprising to see manatees off the Florida coast, but they’re unusual along the Texas coast.
It’s against the law to give them fresh water… It can kill them…
He’s a marine biologist…Also, when visiting Florida, a few years back, we were told, by the park employed/officials, that the manatees could often be found swimming up the drainage ditches to get, and I quote, “a sip of fresh water”.
The Manatees in FL live in Blue Springs which is fresh water so I doubt this is true.
I don’t think so, please cite the Texas or federal law.
Here’s a good read that clarifies why it’s illegal. www.savethemanatee.org/manatees/manatee-viewing/why-is-it-wrong-to-give-food-or-water-to-manatees/
Sorry, no law cited in that article. It’s not illegal, even if unwise. Be factual.
I think the professor of marine biology would probably not do anything to hurt the manatee. Just a thought…
No it’s generally bad form to feed any wild animal, and manatee advocates specifically recommend not giving them hose water. Though, I don’t think it’s illegal in Texas. It is specifically illegal in florida.
Manatees need fresh water for hydration, that is fact. People in Florida commonly leave hoses dripping into their canals so they can drink. The laws that make feeding and giving water to manatees illegal have to do with attracting them to docks and boats that may increase the likelihood of a boat strike, fresh water is a necessity for this animal.
Respectfully not so. I lived on islands in Florida and worked with conservationists. Lived on a boat there. Had sanctioned contact and wrote stories about them. Gentle giants.
He was seen this evening again still in the canals behind Bayside Dr … Please rescue him before he gets injured worse …. It already looks like his right flipper has nearly been cut off. It was so amazing to see him there this evening