Homosassa Springs, Manatee, and Lou

I wanted to see a manatee while in the Keys. I was told they come up to the docks. Well, one did on a day that I was not there. So, after we left a friend told us about the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park near Clear Water Springs which is on our way home. They take in injured Manatees and had an education program you could listen to and watch. These mammals are endangered and their only natural predator is us with our boats and pollution. They are pregnant for 13 months and they cannot reproduce the first 5 to 7 years of their life. That doesn't help their numbers any. They are impressive to watch. They have lots of whiskers on the snout and eat grass from the bottom of the ocean and lakes. They also need fresh water to survive even though they swim in the ocean.

Also, the Wildlife Park promised that it would stick to animals that are native to the state. Lou is the only animal that can live here whose species is not native to Florida. Lou, a 49 year old 6,500 lb hippo, was in the park originally with lots of other exotic animals and the park was owned privately for profit. The owner gave the park to the State of Florida. The State said that all the exotic animals had to find other homes. However, Lou had a reputation of being stubborn and hard to handle. So after many requests for another home, no one else wanted him. He use to be in the movies (one with John Wayne), but as he got older he became harder to take care of. A special appeal was made to the governor to keep Lou. So the governor made Lou a citizen of Florida so he could live his life out in the Park. Lou loves cantaloupe and watermelon and does not like to share. He loves to float around his territory and open his mouth wide.

I saw many other animals native to Florida including river otters, pink flamingos, egrets, sheepshead fish, mullets, crocodiles, and alligators. However, I came to see the manatee and I am glad I did.