Manatee drinks from hose in Destin
DESTIN — Jason Harwell and his family encountered an unexpected sight Monday while waiting for a dolphin cruise at HarborWalk Marina.
"Me and my family just checked in for the Destin Snorkel dolphin tour and seashell hunt, of which this is our second time going out on," Harwell said. "We had a little time to spare before we were due to board, and one of the crew of Destin Snorkel asked (if) we had seen the manatee yet."
The Harwells were led to the end of the dock and looked down to see a large manatee. They had never seen one that close.
"My little girls thought it was awesome," he said.
A neighboring crew member had a hose in the water and was letting the manatee drink from it. Harwell said he asked if the animal was in distress, and the crew member told him it wasn't.
The family watched from the dock as the manatee swam away between some boats and back toward East Pass.
Florida manatees are an endangered species and marine biologists do not recommend feeding them or allowing them to drink from hoses. They get most of their hydration from the foliage they eat.
"You want to leave them alone, as with any natural animal in their habitat," said Patrick Berry, general manager of the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. "They will certainly find enough water to drink on their own. ... It's not uncommon that they will come drink from a hose, but you don't want to offer that to them."
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