Manatee Rescue Bracelet

Aqua, a regular visitor to Blue Spring State Park in Florida, is more than just another manatee in the park's waters—she’s a survivor and a symbol of resilience. Aqua’s story began in 2011 when she was first sighted as a medium-sized manatee, believed to be around five years old. Identified by her faint scars, she moved gracefully through the waters, seemingly untouched by the dangers that lurk in her habitat. But Aqua’s story took a dramatic turn in 2013. That summer, she was struck by a boat, leaving three deep propeller cuts across her left shoulder. These scars became a part of her identity, a reminder of the constant threat that boats pose to manatees. Though the scars healed, the trauma lingered, making her more cautious, yet resilient.

Aqua is not just known for her injuries—she’s a dedicated mother. Over the years, Aqua has given birth to five calves. Among them is Teal, born in 2013, followed by Fabio in 2015, and three more unnamed calves in 2018, 2020, and 2022. In a remarkable twist of fate in 2018, Aqua returned to Blue Spring with two calves. Researchers believe one was an orphaned manatee calf she "adopted" and cared for alongside her own. Aqua’s nurturing nature and survival instincts make her a beacon of hope for manatees everywhere. Through her story, we highlight the dangers manatees face from boat collisions and the importance of protecting their habitats from these preventable accidents.

Gator’s name conjures up images of a fierce predator, but his story is one of playfulness, curiosity, and a testament to the often misunderstood nature of manatees. Gator was first identified in the winter of 2011–2012 when a webcam at Blue Spring State Park captured a peculiar sight—a young manatee chasing and playing with an alligator in the park’s waters. This unusual interaction earned Gator his memorable name and captured the hearts of park visitors and researchers alike. Despite the playful nature of their encounter, it also underscored the gentle and inquisitive spirit of manatees like Gator.

But Gator’s story, like many manatees, is marked by tragedy. While he is known for his playful demeanor, he is also scarred—literally—by his encounters with boats. In early 2012, Gator suffered a severe injury from a boat collision, leaving six large propeller cuts along his right side. Just a month later, another boat struck him, creating three additional propeller cuts and a skeg cut in nearly the same location. These injuries have left Gator visibly marked, his body now a roadmap of the dangers manatees face in Florida’s crowded waterways.

Despite his injuries, Gator has proven to be a resilient and beloved figure at Blue Spring. His playful antics and scars are reminders that manatees must navigate both natural and human-made challenges. His story is a call for more vigilant boating practices and the importance of following manatee-safe boating guidelines to reduce unnecessary injuries and deaths.

Una’s story begins with tragedy but is ultimately one of hope and survival. She was rescued as a tiny orphaned calf from the Ortega River near Jacksonville, Florida, in 2003. At the time of her rescue, Una was in desperate need of care and was taken to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation. She spent three years in recovery before being released back into the wild at Blue Spring State Park in 2006. By then, she had grown to over eight feet long and weighed nearly 1,000 pounds.

But Una’s challenges didn’t end there. In 2013, she returned to Blue Spring with fishing line entangled around her flippers—a dangerous and potentially fatal situation for a manatee. Despite efforts to free her, Una continued to get tangled in fishing lines over the next few seasons. Finally, in 2016, researchers were able to capture her and her calf, Mr. Baby, and remove the fishing line. Una’s resilience in the face of such adversity is nothing short of remarkable, and she continues to thrive today.

Una’s story is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by human debris, particularly discarded fishing lines. Her survival is a testament to the importance of rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and it highlights the need for greater public awareness about the impact of human activity on marine life.

Moo Shoo is one of Blue Spring’s most recognizable manatees, and not just because of her distinctive name. First identified in 2010, Moo Shoo quickly made a name for herself with her playful antics. She was often seen nudging the research canoe as if trying to interact with the researchers. Her curiosity and boldness made her a favorite among the park staff, but her story also illustrates the dangers that come with living so close to human activity.

In her early years, Moo Shoo faced a harsh reality. She sustained several boat-related injuries, including superficial scrapes on her tail and propeller slashes across her back. These scars became part of her identity, marking her as another victim of the all-too-common collisions between manatees and watercraft. Despite these challenges, Moo Shoo’s playful nature never faltered, and she continued to return to the park each winter.

Her story took a maternal turn in 2014 when she gave birth to a calf named Mandan. However, Moo Shoo wasn’t always the most attentive mother. In fact, she often seemed more interested in playing with the research canoe than staying close to her calf. Over time, Moo Shoo has matured, and her maternal instincts have improved. She has since given birth to several more calves, each winter bringing a new addition to the family.

Moo Shoo’s enduring presence at Blue Spring and her growing family remind us of the importance of preserving manatee habitats and reducing human disturbances. Her story speaks to the resilience of manatees, but also to the need for better protections to ensure they can live and raise their young in safety.