Respect the Natives
can be seen from the shore, playing in boat wakes or occasionally cruising the Cape’ s canals. They might seem irresistibly friendly, but feeding them or guiding a boat into a group of them can be harmful to you and them.
Manatee: These gentle“ sea cows” are large— growing up to 13 feet and 3,000 pounds— but harmless. Susceptible to cold, they congregate in warmer water during cold snaps. You’ re most likely to notice one of these air-breathing mammals when it surfaces with a sudden puff of breath. Slow-speed boating zones in the Caloosahatchee and other areas help protect the slow-moving manatees, which are protected under state and federal law.
Respect the Natives
These few simple guidelines can help protect local wildlife:
Don’ t feed them. Wild animals don’ t need our help, and encouraging them to approach humans puts both human and animal at risk.
Clean up fishing line and tackle. Getting tangled in monofilament or swallowing hooks kills marine life, pelicans and wading birds.
Enjoy animals from a distance. Approaching a wild animal can put you— and it— in harm’ s way.
Photo Provided by The Lee County VCB
Learn More
About
Local Wildlife x
Learn more and get involved with wildlife appreciation and protection efforts through the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife( CCFriendsofWildlife. org). The city offers programs and information about the area’ s wildlife and natural ecosystems at Rotary Park Environmental Center For Details: 549-4606 or CapeCoral. net
If you find an injured animal, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife( CROW) on Sanibel might be able to help. For details: 472-3644 or CrowClinic. org
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