Manatee sightings rise along South Carolina coast during migration
COLUMBIA, S.C. —
As thousands of beachgoers flock to the coast for summer vacation, some unexpected travelers are making waves of their own from far beyond South Carolina’s shores.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said in a social media post that manatee sightings are on the rise as many Florida manatees migrate north.
According to SCDNR, our aquatic neighbors are making the trip to enjoy the abundant aquatic vegetation found along the SC coastline.
SCDNR says the public is able to report manatee sightings to help biologists better understand their behaviors, chosen locations, and patterns.
The department shared a few tips for anyone who sees a manatee in the wild:
- Be sure to view from a distance so as not to disturb the animal.
- Never provide fresh water (including a hose) or food to manatees – they do not need anything from humans. This trains the animal to approach humans, docks, and boats, which puts them at risk for boat strikes.
- Wear polarized sunglasses to better see manatees through the water’s surface.
- Check around your boat motor before you crank the engine. Manatees may be hanging around nearby.
Harassing manatees is both a state and federal crime. Please call the SCDNR Wildlife Hotline at 1-800-922-5431 if you see any violations or an injured, deceased, or sick animal.
Keep up with what’s happening around our area by downloading the WYFF News 4 app on the App Store or Google Play.