State and federal wildlife officials are continuing to feed some of Florida’s starving manatees with about 10 tons of romaine lettuce per week at a feeding station in the middle of the state’s Atlantic coastline. But, they said on Jan. 11, the population of the state’s iconic sea cows isn’t out of danger yet from…

By Gabrielle Calise From Tampa Bay Times Tampa–Every year, tourists from around the world flock to Crystal River. A brief drive through the charming Citrus County hamlet provides a hint as to why: You’ll find manatee-shaped mailboxes, manatee placards on the streetlights, manatee statues and murals. The city’s logo, a smiling sea cow, is festooned…

By Mary Ann Anderson From Tribune News Service Shivering from winter’s morning chill, I apprehensively slip off the back end of a pontoon boat and thread my way into the warm waters of Crystal River on Florida’s west coast. It is cold, in late January, and the air temperature hovers in the upper 30s. Still,…

Florida’s manatees gently glide through the state’s rivers and along coastal beaches like great, grey footballs, endearing themselves to residents and tourists alike. The half-ton, whiskery mammals are celebrated throughout the state on T-shirts, license plates, and with huggable stuffed toys in their likeness. During winter, tourists and locals converge on inland waterways, donning dive…