Manatee Educational Program
This program is currently not available.
Imagine gazing upon a watery world, where a jubilee of fishes swirl through crystal-clear water, interrupted only by one of Florida’s most beloved aquatic mammals – the West Indian manatee.
At Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, you can see and learn about West Indian manatees.
The springs environment creates a serene backdrop for the park’s three daily manatee programs, when rangers and volunteers provide visitors with interesting stories about the park’s non-releasable captive manatees and what can be done to protect manatees in the wild.
Manatees become non-releasable when their injury or illness is so severe that they are no longer able to survive in the wild. Most common injuries result from boat strikes.
The state park also participates in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Program. The park cares for injured or ill manatees until they can safely be released back into the wild.
- More information available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Program Registration
Registration is not required.
Program Cost
Free with park admission and includes a 15 to 20 minute talk followed by a feeding of the park’s captive manatees.
Times
Offered three times daily:
- 11:30 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m.
Location
April 1 - November 14
Underwater Observatory
November 15 - March 31
Manatee Care Facility