Save the Manatees in DeBary!
- Kasey
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
While enjoying the scenic St. John's River right here in DeBary, Mayor Karen Chasez saw an injured manatee. She immediately reported the injured animal to Florida Fish and Wildlife. Thanks to their swift response, the manatee was located near Hontoon Island and transported to a recovery center at SeaWorld where it is receiving expert care and is now on the path to recovery. They found that the manatee was most likely injured by a boating collision. This is a great reminder of the risks our manatee neighbors face in the St. Johns River and the vital role residents can play in protecting them!
Understanding the Threats to Manatees in the St. Johns River
Manatees are gentle giants that inhabit the St. Johns River here in DeBary. Their slow speed and tendency to surface for air make them vulnerable to collisions with boats.
Manatees face many threats, including:
Loss of Seagrass
Harassment from Humans
Climate Change
Collisions with Boats
Each of these factors reduces manatees’ chances of survival and recovery in the wild.
How Residents Can Help Protect Manatees
Residents living near or enjoying the St. Johns River can take several steps to reduce harm to manatees and support their conservation.
Be Vigilant When Boating
Follow posted speed limits and safety signs
Maintain a lookout for manatees surfacing or swimming near the boat
Avoid sudden turns or speeding in manatee zones
Use designated boat ramps and channels to minimize habitat disturbance.
DeBary has TWO public boat ramps into the St. John's River: Highbanks Marina (488 W Highbanks Road) and Lake Monroe Park (975 S Charles Richard Beall Blvd)
Report Sick, Injured, or Deceased Manatees Immediately
If you see a manatee that appears sick, injured, or deceased, be sure to report it quickly.
Call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 (FWCC). This is a 24/7 hotline that directs callers to a dispatcher who will direct the call to a field station that is responsible for DeBary. You will receive a call back from a biologist, so please pick up your phone!
Get the location of where the manatee is seen (GSP coordinates or any landmarks are helpful)
If possible, get a photo or video of the manatee.
If possible, stay with the manatee until you can talk to a biologist.
More information about the FWC Hotline:
FWC’s field stations cover large areas and cannot always respond immediately, but they take every call very seriously.
FWC works with a large number of “local verifiers” such as the sheriff’s department, Save the Manatee Club, the DEP, and others. These folks are trained to know what to look for when receiving a call about a dead or distressed manatee. They are oftentimes sent out to look at the manatee and report back to the FWC biologist with what they see. This helps the biologist to determine if a rescue is necessary and how urgent it is.
FWC will put a rescue team together and get their boat and equipment ready
Good to know: Even injured manatees (like the one the Mayor spotted) can sometimes move long distances in the water, making it necessary for someone to stay with the manatee when a rescue is underway, so FWC knows where they need to go to try to capture the animal.
Recognizing Manatees and Their Behavior
Signs of injury or illness include:
Unusual lethargy or floating listlessly
Visible wounds or scars from boat strikes
Difficulty surfacing for air
Presence of entangling debris
If you notice these signs, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 (FWCC) immediately.
Final Thoughts
The recent rescue of the injured manatee near DeBary is a reminder that our actions directly affect the health of wildlife in the St. Johns River. Residents have a powerful role in protecting manatees by staying vigilant, following boating safety rules, and reporting any signs of distress immediately.
Every call to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline can make a difference. Together, we can ensure that manatees continue to thrive in our waterways and that future generations can enjoy the beauty of these gentle giants.
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