Manatee

Check out FL's top animal stories for 2022: Gator vs. python, Hurricane Ian pet rescues, lost dog at Tampa airport, cold-stunned turtles.

[Watch: Gator Carries Dead Python Through Everglades Canal](https://patch.com/florida/miami/watch-gator-carries-dead-python-through-everglades-canal) [Cold-Stunned Turtles Make Way From Frigid Cape Cod To Balmy Tampa Bay](https://patch.com/florida/clearwater/cold-stunned-turtles-make-way-frigid-cape-cod-balmy-clearwater) [“frozen” wild iguanas](https://patch.com/florida/fort-myers/watch-out-frozen-iguanas-christmas-weekend-during-fl-cold-snap) who are stunned by the cold. [Big Cypress National Preserve](https://www.facebook.com/BigCypressNPS) in Ochopee at the end of April. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed two new clawed residents in September – two rare orange lobsters. With the announcement in May that Florida is allocating a record amount of money to save the endangered manatee, Florida's nonprofit manatee acute care facilities will receive a much-needed infusion of funds.

PARRISH, Fla. (WFLA) — It's been more than three months since Hurricane Ian battered Florida's Gulf Coast, destroying and damaging buildings throughout ...

Wildlife authorities prepare to feed lettuce to Florida manatees for a second winter even as first winter results are unclear.

Deteriorating habitats and illegal fishing are threatening the West African manatee, a species shrouded in mystery fueled by legends.

Already extinct in the Central African Republic and probably in Burkina Faso, Angola, Niger, Mali and Chad, this sea cow, as it is also known, survives in very limited areas of coastal regions, from Senegal to Equatorial Guinea. [rising temperature of the water](https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-10-06/global-warming-extreme-droughts-20-times-more-likely-under-current-climate-conditions.html) in which they live are also adversely affecting them. This goddess, also present in the voodoo of the Caribbean and America via slaves from Benin and Nigeria, is also associated with sexual promiscuity. All this, despite the fact that this herbivore, which can measure more than 6ft 5in (two meters) and weigh about 1,100lb (500 kilos), is essential for controlling the growth of invasive herbaceous species in the region’s rivers and lagoons. “The observation tower has been broken for some time now and we are looking at repairing it ourselves,” Diatta says. “There is a freshwater spring nearby and the baliali [their name in the Diola language] like to come here to drink,” says Diatta. “Whoever this happens to is obliged to notify the authorities, otherwise they could be heavily fined.” Legend has it that a newlywed couple once went to a pond to bathe and, being alone and away from prying eyes, began to make love. To catch one you must have mystical powers,” says Louis Diatta, sitting on the banks of the Casamance River, scanning the surface of the water and talking about the West African manatees as if they were people. “These are the charms, protecting the road,” notes Kanyar, a local guide. “The following day, it was next to the charm,” Kanyar says with a smile. The road to this place is as magical as the manatees themselves.

Manatee County Florida photographer Tiffany Tompkins shares some best of photos and videos of 2022.

Sergiy Mykhaylov and his wife, Darya Fedotova changed the name of their school to the International Ballet of Florida. [growing development](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article261778897.html). [growing at break-neck speed](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article264098476.html). The Herald broke the story of a 12-year-old girl who was removed from her school in handcuffs by deputies in 2021. [Peace River Campgrounds](https://www.bradenton.com/news/weather/hurricane/article266604761.html) under water. We continued our coverage of young Ja’Quyla Jones’ story as her mother called for justice on Jan. [the group responded](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article261080802.html) with a march, rally and candlelight vigil. [the owners of a ballet studio in](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article259018108.html) southern Manatee County changed the name of their studio in support of Ukraine. Cecelia Jones reached for her daughter’s hand during a press conference where [attorneys called for the firing](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/article257094402.html) of all the school district employees involved. ](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local) [Vigil for Democracy](https://www.bradenton.com/news/politics-government/article257097427.html) on the steps of the Manatee County Historic Courthouse.