A record count of manatees

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about our thriving manatee population.  A preliminary count in Florida earlier this year tallied more than 6,000 of the gentle creatures.  That was 1,000 more than the previous high of 5,000 in 2010.  Biologists think warm, sunny weather prompted manatees to rest near the surface where they could be easily spotted.  The record count this year was encouraging given the die-off of more than 800 manatees two years ago in the northern Indian River Lagoon.  Each spring, manatees swim into open waters from warm enclaves, such as streams, canals and power-plant outflows.  Boaters, please slow down in manatee zones.  Watch for slick spots on the water.  They indicate the presence of manatees just a foot or two down.  I’m Paul Janensch.