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HOMOSASSA SPRINGS - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a decision to defer
the release of manatees from Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State
Park (Homosassa Springs) until 2011.
As part of this decision, two manatees currently being held in isolation at
the park will be returned to the spring bowl at the state park next Thursday,
December 24 at 9:00 a.m. Over the next several months FWS and DEP will continue
working together to define an agreement that addresses the long term future of
Homosassa Springs as a manatee rehabilitation facility and is consistent with
FWS’ overall objective of releasing rehabilitated animals back into the wild.
“I am thankful for the input of the Floridians and elected officials for
their commitment and concern for these animals. I look forward to continued
cooperation with the FWS in our common goal to protect the endangered manatee,"
said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. With an annual attendance record of nearly
370,000 visitors, year-round manatee exhibits and the world famous “fishbowl”
for viewing manatees underwater in their natural habitat, Homosassa Springs is
one of the state’s most appealing manatee facilities.
“We greatly appreciate the extensive cooperation by our state partners in
manatee recovery,” said Dave Hankla, field supervisor for the FWS North Florida
office in Jacksonville. “Homosassa Springs is a truly unique facility with an
exceptional opportunity for education, rehabilitation, and conservation of
habitat in one location.”
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park
service, Florida's state park system is one of the largest in the country with
160 parks, most of which are open 365 days a year. Florida's state parks, which
span more than 700,000 acres and include more than 100 miles of sandy white
beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats
for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit FWS online at
www.fws.gov/northflorida.
Weather permitting, the manatee transfer will take place:
9:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs
Wildlife State Park
4150 South Suncoast Boulevard (U.S. Highway 19)
Homosassa, Florida |
2012 State of Florida