Manatee Center

🎣⚠️ Fishing line in the water can become a trap - not just trash.
Marine debris isn’t always a big, obvious item. Sometimes it’s a “bird’s nest” of fishing line 🧵 tossed overboard or shredded off a reel at the marina. That line can:

🐟 Tangle wildlife
🚤 Damage boat props
🤿 Snag divers and swimmers

Manatees are especially vulnerable because they explore their world with their flippers and mouths 🐋. Curiosity can turn into entanglement fast.

🧤🗑️ Help protect the lagoon the simple way - join the Manatee Center Community Action Day and Let's Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful cleanup on the June 13th at 9:30 a.m. for litter control near the Indian River Lagoon.

✅ Bring water
✅ Wear comfy shoes
✅Bring a friend and make a difference.

Announcing our new summer hours! We'll be open from 10am to 3pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Join us for learning at the lagoon.

🌿🍽️ Seagrass is a manatee’s dinner table - and plastic can end up on the plate.

Plastic bags, deflated balloons 🎈, and monofilament fishing line 🎣 can drift into seagrass beds or snag on floating vegetation. If a manatee swallows it and can’t pass it, it can become a life-or-death situation.

That’s why litter control near the Indian River Lagoon matters - it prevents harm before it starts.

🧤🗑️ Come help us for a Community Action Day June 13 at 9:30 a.m.
The Manatee Center cleanup is a hands-on way to Live Lagoon Friendly and protect the wildlife that calls this place home.

✅ Bring a friend
✅ Wear comfy shoes ✅Bring a bottle of water
✅ Let’s do something good together

Manatee Rescue Update – White City Park Area

The rescued manatee has undergone X-rays, which revealed several broken ribs that caused air to leak into his body. He is currently receiving critical care and will be given an official name once he becomes stable.

When he was first found, he was barely responsive and taking very shallow breaths. We are incredibly thankful that someone spotted him when they did and took action, it truly made a difference.

This is a powerful reminder that if you spot a manatee and have any concerns, please contact FWC immediately at 888-404-FWCC (3822). Prompt reporting can save a manatee’s life, and we hope this story proves just that.

We will continue to share updates and are hopeful for his recovery. Thank you for caring about and protecting Florida’s manatees.