STORM2K

Manatees Spotted In Jackson County Bayou

A surprising sight has intrigued many people in Jackson County. People who live in the Herring Bayou area, have spotted manatees in the water near their homes. Since last week, they've been calling the Department of Marine Resources to share what they've seen.

Kerry Kuhn has lived in Jackson County all of his life. But this week... he saw something he'd never seen before.

"Friday was the first time I'd seen them. My dog, she got to barking at something, and I couldn't figure out what she was barking at. This woman on the dock stopped me and asked me if we had manatees around here. I told her as far as I know we didn't. I told her she was seeing gators," Kuhn said.

But these weren't alligators in Herring Bayou. They're manatees.

We didn't see any on our two hour search of the bayou, but the officials with the Department of Marine Resources say many people have spotted them. More than 20 people have called in sightings in the last week.

"We get a sighting or two of manatees every year, but what we don't get is a group of manatees. And apparently this is a group of eight to 12 manatees. That's very uncommon," Dr. Keith Mullin with the National Marine Fisheries said.

These mammals are hundreds of miles north of their habitat.

"They migrate from Florida. That's the only closest place I know that's got them round here," Kuhn said.

That makes fisherman like Kuhn a little nervous.

"If you're in a small enough boat, you know what I mean, one 10 or 12 feet long, real narrow, they'd be big enough to turn the boat over."

Or if you're in a larger boat and you hit a manatee, you can kill it easily. That's why the DMR says its mission now is to catch the slow moving mammals and steer them home.

The operation to move the manatees begins Tuesday. If you see a manatee in your area, you can call the DMR at 228-374-5000.
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Kuhn is my Uncle. My horses are stabled near this bayou. Very unusual to spot them here.

Lindaloo here in our coasts around Puerto Rico there haved been a few sightings of manatees.

They are wonderful animals. I hope that they can get them back to their home alright. I wish I could see one in person sometime.

Don't worry, Steph....as the old Native American saying goes, "Manitou looks out for the manatee."

I've never heard that one Bill, but I'd believe it!

I have been up close and personal with one at Sea World. It followed me and I thought that was the cutest thing. She let me take good pics of her. When I get a scanner that is worth a darn I will send you some pics. One of the dolphins came right up to me and spit water in my face. I was in the park maybe 10 minutes? lol. I had my picture taken with one of the Budweiser Clydesdales. I was in heaven at Sea World.

The manatee is a beautiful, graceful animal. I will keep you posted on their efforts to steer them back home.

I've seen on or two WAAAAAY back in 1978 when I was in the Navy. We were heading to Puerto Rico for training, we pulled in to Jacksonville Florida on our way for fuel....pulling into the fueling pier, I was standin' on the flight deck, watchin' the water and there they were......indeed, an incredible animal!

The neatest thing I saw, I was lying on the safety nets surrounding the flight deck to get a better glimpse of the dolphins following the ship.

Dennis

I am very blessed, I live on the Atlantic intracoastal waterway, and have seen them many many times surface next to our boat while out fishing, and of course when Im sitting out in my back garden a mother and her calf come to feed on the vegetation growing off the docks.

I know I complain about the heat here in FL, but it is times like that that make me so greatful I live here

Yes you are very Blessed to be able to see them on daily basis Bron.

Ceye and Dennis... I had no idea that they have been seen down in Puerto Rico.