This summer, a $64 million ferry project on the Texas Gulf Coast was temporarily halted due to an encounter with West Indian manatees. The Texas Department of Transportation indicated that their crews knew what to do when they observed these gentle giants swimming nearby.
As construction crews were upgrading the Port Aransas Ferry System’s ramps and landings, they spotted federally protected manatees in the vicinity. Officials noted that one manatee lingered near the ferry operations for several hours before eventually moving toward Corpus Christi Bay.
Work on the project resumed only after the manatees had vacated the area. Texas DOT emphasized that environmental management is a priority in their operations, highlighting ongoing initiatives like the Ocelot wildlife crossing and bat habitats to help protect native species.
The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TXMMSN) reported multiple sightings of manatees this summer across locations including Surfside and Quintana. According to TXMMSN, these gentle creatures typically winter in Florida but occasionally make their way to Texas during the summer months.
The Texas Institute of Technology’s Institute of Natural Science Research noted that while West Indian manatees inhabit rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas from the southeastern U.S. to Central America and the West Indies, they are considered “very rare in Texas waters.”
For anyone who encounters a manatee, it’s advised to report the sighting to the Stranding Network at 1-800-9 mammals (1-800-962-6625), providing details like date, time, and location, along with photographs or videos taken from a safe distance.
