Swimming with Florida manatees

Endangered Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are present in Kings Bay's warm, spring-fed waters year-round; in winter, though, their numbers swell substantially as they seek refuge from the Gulf of Mexico's chilly waters. Crystal River operators offer swimming/snorkelling tours to sites such as Three Sisters Springs, where clear waters provide a magnificent opportunity to view these aquatic mammals in their natural habitat.
In March 2012, the US Fish and Wildlife Service established a manatee refuge in the waters of Kings Bay, including its tributaries and connected waters. Prohibited activities include:
(i) Chasing or pursuing manatees
(ii) Disturbing or touching a resting or feeding manatee(s).
(iii) Diving from the surface onto a resting or feeding manatee(s).
(iv) Cornering or surrounding or attempting to corner or surround a manatee(s).
(v) Riding, holding, grabbing, or pinching or attempting to ride, hold, grab, or pinch a manatee(s).
(vi) Poking, prodding, or stabbing or attempting to poke, prod, or stab a manatee(s) with anything, including your hands and feet.
(vii) Standing on or attempting to stand on a manatee(s).
(viii) Separating a mother and calf or attempting to separate a mother and calf.
(ix) Separating a manatee(s) from a group or attempting to separate a manatee(s) from a group.
(x) Giving a manatee(s) anything to eat or drink or attempting to give a manatee(s) anything to eat or drink.
(xi) Actively initiating contact with a belted and/or tagged manatee(s) and associated gear, including any belts, harnesses, tracking devices, or antennae.
(xii) Interfering with rescue and research activities.
For more information on Florida manatees and manatee protection areas, visit www.fws.gov/nor...
For more information on swimming tours, visit visitcitrus.com/
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