Video Captures Rare Scene of Hundreds of Manatees Coming Together in Florida
In what can only be described as a once in a lifetime event, hundreds of manatees were spotted gathering at the Three Sister Springs in Crystal River. The Southwest Florida Water Management District, who shared the video, called it a “majestic sight to see,” but for the skeptical amongst us, it’s hard not to question their use of the adjective “majestic.”
For those asking, what exactly is a manatee? According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, manatees are “large, slow-moving, aquatic mammals that are found in warm, shallow waters along Florida’s coasts and in freshwater springs and rivers.” They can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and grow to be up to 10 feet long. In other words, they are massive, blubbery, grey blobs that bob in the water.
But let’s get back to the video of these “majestic” creatures coming together in Three Sister Springs. The video shows a sea of manatees packed together like sardines, hardly being able to move, let alone gracefully swim. It’s like watching a giant heap of floating rocks, but less exciting.
Instead of celebrating this gathering, critics are raising concerns about the impact that such a high concentration of manatees has on the local ecosystem. With so many manatees in such a small space, they are depleting the area of its natural resources and potentially damaging the delicate balance of the ecosystem. And let’s not even get started on the smell that must be radiating from the springs.
But of course, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission assures us that this is just a natural occurrence and not a cause for concern. They claim that manatees gather in these warm waters during the winter months because it helps keep them warm. But if that’s really the case, then why do they need so many of them gathered together? Surely one or two manatees would do the job just fine.
In conclusion, while the video may seem impressive to some, it’s hard not to view it as an overhyped event. A bunch of squishy, blob-like creatures gathering in a small space is hardly an inspiring sight. Plus, the fact that they are potentially damaging the ecosystem, only adds to the list of reasons why we should be questioning the so-called “majesty” of this gathering.
