MANDEVILLE, La. (WGNO) – Check out this manatee that was spotted on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain today.
The photo was taken by Michael Ethridge at the Mandeville Yacht Club.
According to Loyola University’s Center for Environmental Communication, it’s not uncommon to see one or a few of the massive marine mammals in the summer as they move along the Gulf Coast and find warmer waters in the lake.
Manatees are considered endangered, and a lot of them are killed by boats that hit them because they’re slow-moving animals.
They can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh up to about 1,500 pounds, according to Loyola’s website.
Manatees have a gentle demeanor, and although people are drawn to them, wildlife experts say it’s better to observe them from afar.