Manatees gather in record numbers for winter warmth

Staff from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge conducted an aerial survey of manatees for the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday. A record number of 657 manatees were counted. The previous record was 651 animals in mid-January 2010. The breakdown of animals counted is as follows: King’s Bay, 546; Crystal River, three; Progress Energy warm-water discharge canal, 19; and the Homosassa River (Blue Waters), 89. Of the number of animals counted, 547 were adults and 110 were calves. The survey route included the Cross Florida Barge Canal near Inglis south to the Homosassa River, Crystal River, Salt River, King’s Bay and the warm-water discharge canal at Progress Energy as well as the upper and lower Homosassa River.