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In the shallow waterways along the coast of Florida I see the sign posts every time I go out diving. Manatee Zone – Slow Speed. These signs serve as a reminder that a very special creature is sharing the same waters we are traveling through. On rare occasions we are offered a glimpse into the life of a Manatee as it slowly swims by. Unfortunately for the Manatee, sometimes these encounters present themselves in the form of a tragic mishap with a boat.
The aquatic equivalent of the Pillsbury Boy; its chubby appearance, short front flippers, puffy face, whiskers, and large paddle-shaped tail make up most of the Manatee’s exterior characteristics. Lacking the striking colors found in many of the ocean’s creatures, Manatees instead sport a pale gray body with the occasional collection of algae growing on their skin. A close look at their front flippers will uncover elephant-like toe nails. With molar-like teeth located near the back half of their jaws, these mammalian herbivore (plant eater) are able to chew their food.
But there is more to Manatees than is noticeable from their appearance. The opportunity arose for me to have an in-water encounter thanks to my friends at Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventure.
On a chilly Florida day, I entered the water and quietly made my way towards the dark shadows lingering near the shore. From afar, the hazy silhouette of a Manatee slowly materialized. I watched from some distance in hopes of not scaring the Manatee away. Suddenly the Manatee began swimming towards me. Less than five feet away it lowered its left flipper into the sand and its enormous thousand pound body effortlessly swung around.
As I ventured through the area I could see a variety of different Manatees – from tiny youngsters who swam alongside their mother to enormous full grown adults weighing in over a thousand pounds. What most of them shared in common were the large gashes along their backs; the tell-tale sign of an unfortunate encounter with a boat’s propeller. A closer look around the front flippers revealed thin circular cuts around their skin where monofilament fishing line appeared to have encircled their flippers.
Swimming alongside a small pier, the floor was littered with tons of trash ranging from different plastics, glass bottles, aluminum cans, an aluminum ladder, and even a chair. It was in this mess of litter that these poor animals congregated – seeking warmth and food.
Over an hour had passed as I swam around the area when a Manatee curiously approached me. As I slowly sank to the bottom he stopped within five inches from me. A smile slowly grew on my face as we sat facing each other in what appeared to be a staring contest. With my lungs burning for air, I slowly floated towards the surface. Suddenly, he too began to surface right next to me. Slowly reaching out with one hand I softly caressed its skin with my finger tips. Instead of fleeing in horror, it swam in closer to me. Suddenly the Manatee began to turn itself upside down as if to gesture me to rub its belly, which of course I took great pleasure in doing. It was obvious that this gregarious Manatee enjoyed our close encounter as much as I did.
With my time almost up, I sadly and slowly swam back to the boat watching as my new aquatic friend slowly faded in the distance. Upon climbing the ladder of the boat everyone onboard burst into laughter as Anna said, “You see! I told you he’d come up with a huge smile on his face.” It was true, for Anna knows me so well. These life-changing moments for me with nature’s creatures are always cherished in unexplainable ways.
As the boat motored its way back to port, we passed the Manatee Zone signs again. Although I have always respected and followed these signs, they now held an even deeper meaning for me. I knew just how important it is that we take just a brief moment of our life to carefully travel along the waters where these gentle creatures live. In our haste to enjoy of nature in our own ways we have been inconsiderate and selfish with the creatures with whom we share this planet. It is the Manatee, as well as those who have come to love and appreciate them, that bear the scars of this unfortunate fate.
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