Any danger swimming with manatee?

Question

My family and I are on vacation in New Port Richey and have signed up for swimming with manatee. I know these guys are gentle giants of the ocean but was wondering just how safe they are. Is there any chance that one might spaz and take out one of my kids? I have found many sites stating that they are very timid and curious and do not think it will be a problem but have to make sure.

The place we are going is close to the bay and according to the map, does not look like it is fed by the ocean so i'm not worried about sharks (which is my greatest phobia). Although I am a little nervous about gators, i'm sure the crew who are running this little manatee swim excursion know what they are doing and will keep us away from the monsters :)

Has anybody done this before - please share thoughts and experiences as it looks like it will be quite memorable.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Though roguegirl is correct about the Marine Mammal Protection Act she failed to note that certain sites have been "grandfathered in" outside this policy. New Port Richey is one of these sites. The site is given a certain amount of lee-way regarding the laws surroung Marine Mammal Protection and they will explain this to you when you arrive. The same regulations apply to you but you are allowed to interact with the animals within the sanctuary limits. They have to approach you and initiate the interaction but don't worry, they will!

I swam with the manatees on the Crystal River in October last year. It was absolutely amazing and they really are gentle, curious creatures! The only cautionary things are not to get between a mother and her calf and to let them approach you, not vice versa. Take an underwater camera if they do not give you one. You will want pictures of this experience! Your children will be amazed and so will you at the size and agility of the manatees. If you follow the rules you are given you won't have any problems and you'll have more fun than you could ever imagine. I was awed by the experience!!!

Here's a link to the photos I took during the manatee swim in case you'd like to see what it was like for us:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/highonezra/album/576460762385039902

Answer 2

Yes it is illegal to approach a WILD manatee due to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. However, you can go to certain parks such a Sea World and others that have special activities which include swimming with manatees. So long as you don't startle them (purely because of their strength) and don't get near a mother and her baby, they are one of the friendliest animals on the planet. They are endangered so if you get caught with wild manatees, you will get fined by certain amounts, depending on what state you are in.

Answer 3

Actually, it's illegal to approach or touch manatees according to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. I believe you have to stay 50 feet away from a marine mammal or you could be fined if caught. What can be dangerous in swimming with them is that it teaches them it's okay to approach people, and often, they are on boats.

Although they are not generally fast-moving, they can move fast if frightened. I swam with them in the Sea World park, and they were quite powerful. However, since those manatees were a part of the park and used to people feeding and touching them, they were not startled at all.

Answer 4

I have done this at Blue springs and Silver Springs Florida and let me tell you when comes to an experience that the kids will love this is it. Those big guys are so gentle and sweet its funny the little sucking motion they make with there mouth when you feed them lettuce. As for the sharks thing I dont know much about that, I did it at the springs where there was no worry of sharks or other scary sea creatures (I hate jelly fish).

Answer 5

if mermaids did exist, it would make greater experience for them to have the fish section on precise, as all the failings approximately mermaids I surely have seen or study say no longer something approximately them returning to the exterior to respire, and so having the fishpart on precise might enable them to have gills and stay under the water. of direction, the insides could be all distinctive to guard distinctive meals avaliable under the water and the salt intake and stuff. if a mermaid did exist, they might quickly be picked off by utilising predetors, as (be it precise a million/2 or backside a million/2) people are in no way appropriate to existence under the water. and if the werent predated to extinction (if the existed interior the 1st place) they might evolve, and do away with the stuff that grew to become into no longer needed and actually in simple terms become fish

Answer 6

I've never done it...but people swim with wild seals and dolphins all the time (even sharks). I'm sure it won't be a problem. Just make sure the company who runs this little thing is trustworthy. Have fun :)