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Manatees create stir in Boca Raton
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[AP photo]
Onlookers gather behind a barrier to look at the manatees that had come onto the beach in Boca Raton. |
©Associated Press
July 31, 2002
BOCA RATON -- Beachgoers were treated to a heavyweight spectacle Tuesday: a female manatee that beached herself after tiring of the advances of five males, which followed her onto the sand.
"A lot of people are running for their cameras," city biologist Kirt Rusenko said of the 100 or so onlookers gathered behind orange barricades protecting the creatures.
"It's like a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I'm pretty amazed," said Julie Mitchell, 11. She walked a half-mile from the nearest park to catch a glimpse of the sea cows.
Three manatees returned to the ocean before noon, but the female stayed lounging in the surf and two persistent males stuck by her. The trio left for about 90 minutes in the afternoon but returned. Waves carried them off into the ocean about 4 p.m.
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[AP photo]
Five males followed a female on to the sand. A female will sometimes beach herself to get a rest from males' amorous pursuit. |
The manatees were not in any danger and appeared healthy, Rusenko said.
The plant-eating manatee, a distant relative of the elephant, grows to about 10 feet and weighs about 1,000 pounds.
Penny Husted, a state manatee biologist, said that during mating season, as many as 20 males will follow a female manatee for days, sometimes weeks, until she is receptive.
"She will beach herself in shallow areas to hide her genital regions and to basically rest," Husted said. "We don't need to intervene in any way."
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