Manatees and Dugongs in Danger | Blue Realm | Free Documentary Nature
ABOUT MOVIE
Blue Realm – Episode 11: Manatees and Dugongs in Danger
Each year, hundreds of critically endangered manatees are killed in U.S. waters by boats, disease and cold weather. 2006 was the worst year on record for manatee deaths – 416 animals perished. With only a few thousand remaining in the wild, mostly in heavily developed Florida wetlands, the clock is ticking in efforts to save this amazing mammal from extinction.
Another rare species and close relative of manatees is the dugong. Dugongs cling to survival in a few isolated corners of the globe. In marine sanctuaries in Abu Dhabi, the bizarre animals have been notoriously difficult to find, let alone photograph. Manatees and Dugongs features exclusive HD imagery of the mammals in the wild and examines efforts of scientists to protect the two species. The program also includes thrilling captures and field exams of manatees in Florida
If people are not even willing to slow down a bit with their boats in order to save a core species you know humanity is truely doomed.
We have them here in Louisiana too. They swim from Florida staying close to shore then through Breton Sound into Lake Ponchartrain and finally into Lake Maurepas. Since shell dredging was halted in the 1970’s, water quality has been greatly improved and all marine life has benefited. If they decided to go the long way, they could swim up from the mouth of the Mississippi River and find nice warm water at 2 nuclear reactor sites; Waterford 3 and River Bend. They tend to hang out in mass during he winter months here habitually. Their population numbers would surely plummet if nuclear plants where to shut down for maintenance during very cold weather, because of their habits and because the next warm spot to swim to could be hundreds of miles away.
I love being a Floridian. I was swimming with these beautiful creatures before there was a market for it. They really are gentle giants. The manatees I used to swim with as a child would swim right up to you. They can be spooked but if you’re quiet and don’t make any sudden movements it’s a truly amazing experience.
I used to live near here in a place called Titusville. My mom’s bf at the time would take his boat out and we’d see them and dolphins pretty frequently as they’d come up to surface. It was pretty epic, but sad to see all the scars on their backs. Even the calves had some scars and they don’t have natural predators.
Came for Dugongs AND more than HALF way through and NO mention. Thank you for sharing your work with Manatees.💕
Also coulda done without that same munching sound effect every time they showed a creature (even the sea turtle) eating.
9 minutes of dugong content in a 46-minute video… and I had been so excited… Still, it’s nice to see any dugong coverage for a change!
I’ve been lucky enough to see a wild manatee. A truly amazing and beautiful creature
