Manatee Lovemaking Slows Cars on Courtney Campbell Causeway

About eight to 10 manatees are mating in the shallow waters off the east side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

In Florida, maybe it's time to include manatees in the classic birds-and-the-bees talk. Clearwater Police were called with multiple reports of beached manatees on the eastside of the Courtney Campbell Causeway around 6 p.m. Thursday. Turns out the eight to 10 "sea cows" were mating in shallow water. Typically a single female cow is followed by up to a dozen bull manatees to form a mating herd, according to Save the Manatee Club, a nonprofit devoted to protecting the species. The manatees could breed and give birth any time of the year, but there is a spring-summer peak, according to the club. When officers got on scene they called Clearwater Marine Aquarium emergency staff to assist. The manatees were still mating off the causeway Friday. …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)