East Volusia News

First Lady Casey DeSantis expressed her joy at the successful release of the manatee named Toast back into Three Sisters Springs, stating, “It was a joy to be a part of this release and to see a rehabilitated manatee be returned to his home, happy and healthy.”

FWC Executive Director Roger Young commended Governor DeSantis' commitment to manatee protection and rehabilitation, saying, “Governor DeSantis’ bold leadership in funding manatee protection, habitat restoration, and rehabilitation ensures their sustainability for years to come.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been actively involved in efforts to protect and conserve manatees in the state. Under his leadership, Florida has made significant investments in manatee protection, habitat restoration, and rehabilitation. These efforts have led to positive outcomes for the manatee population, with the state witnessing the lowest manatee mortality rate since 2017 in 2023.

The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, a collaborative effort involving various agencies, organizations, and private sector partners, has been instrumental in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing manatees in need. Governor DeSantis has allocated nearly $70 million for manatee protection since 2019, further enhancing rescue and rehabilitation efforts while also focusing on habitat restoration in areas where manatees are highly concentrated.

In addition to manatee protection, Florida has also invested $380 million in restoring the state's springs, crucial habitats for manatees during the winter months when they seek warmer waters. The efforts put forth by the state have resulted in positive outcomes, such as a record number of manatees seeking warm waters at Blue Spring State Park in January.

The release of Toast the manatee back into Three Sisters Springs serves as a testament to the success of Florida's investments in water quality and manatee rescue projects, highlighting the state's dedication to preserving the well-being of these gentle sea giants.