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Researchers document first-ever manatee mating in Mississippi waters
Researchers said the finding suggests Mississippi coastal waters may be more than a seasonal stop for manatees.
- On Sept 24, 2024, researchers using a drone at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve near the Mississippi-Alabama border captured the first known evidence of manatee mating behavior in Mississippi waters.
- While manatees are typically associated with Florida, sightings have increased across the northern Gulf in recent years, suggesting the Mississippi coast may serve as more than a seasonal stop for the marine mammals.
- Researchers observed three manatees, identifying one female and one presumed male engaging in reproductive activity; their scars did not match existing photo-identification catalogs from Florida or Alabama, according to the study in Ecology and Evolution.
- Boaters are urged to slow down and watch the water to protect the animals. Anyone who sees an injured or distressed manatee can report sightings to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Manatee Sighting Network.
- Future monitoring will determine how often manatees use these waters and where they seek shelter. Meanwhile, concerns persist regarding the Endangered Species Act rollback under Trump and its impact on critical manatee habitat protection.
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