The sanctuaries were created after the Fish and Wildlife Service received numerous reports of harassment for concerned citizens, researchers and wildlife managers. Currently, there are six manatee sanctuaries in the Crystal River's headwaters at Kings Bay that protect approximately 39 acres of essential manatee habitat. The sanctuaries were created to provide manatees areas where they could retreat from people during their winter-long stay in the area. More than 250 manatees are known to winter here. . Crystal River dive shop owners and marina operators inform their customers about the crucial importance of such things as observing boat speed limits in manatee zones, not feeding manatees, and avoiding interaction that disrupts the species' normal patterns of activity.
Manatees use the upper Crystal River area as a refuge to escape the cold. .
Large, seal-like body that tapers to a powerful flat tail. Two agile forelimbs with three to four toenails on each, which act like arms to help the manatee maneuver in shallow water, grasp and move food toward their mouths, and act like flippers during swimming. Thick and wrinkled skin with a rough texture - a bit jiggly under the neck and arms. Their skin reacts to touch, as their bodies are very muscular, contracting and changing shape slightly when scratched or tickled. Powerful upper lips which articulate to help maneuver food or dig through sediment. .