Hundreds of manatees are gathered by the shoreline in search of a way to keep warm during the low temperatures.
The gathering recorded at Three Sisters Springs wildlife refuge on the Crystal River, in Citrus County, in the US state of Florida.
The drone footage shows the manatees enjoying the water by the shore, seemingly unbothered by the divers around them and the curious people who try to capture them on their mobile phones.
Southwest Florida Water Management District said in a statement obtained by Newsflash on 5th January: “Hundreds of manatees have been seeking refuge from the chilly temperatures this week at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River.
“This is a great demonstration of why the District recently restored the shoreline around Three Sisters Springs.
“The project repaired the eroded shoreline and will help prevent future erosion caused by manatee and human activity.
“These improvements benefit the Crystal River/Kings Bay spring system by improving water quality, restoring habitat and increasing safety for visitors.”
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Manatees, also called sea cows, are large but calm and peaceful herbivorous animals.
They are said to enjoy interacting and staying around humans, who, on the contrary, are said to be the animals’ main cause of death by habitat destruction or human objects in the water.
Since manatees are said to be very curious and due to their slow movement, they often collide with ships and boats.
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