The Portland daily press., 1888-07-25
SEA cows.
Capturing Manatees on the East
Coast Of Florida.

The east coast Of Florida at one time not
SO very far distant was the hunters para
disc, says Jupiter Inlet (Fla.) letter to the
st. Louis Globe-D Democrat. And even now,
for the smaller game, there are few parts of
the State where more fun can be enjoyed by
the hunter or fisherman. The manatee, or
"sea cow" is one of the few large animals
left in this section, and its pursuits are ex-
citing in the extreme. 1t is very peculiar
animal, both in its appearance and habits,
and its mode Of capture is interesting. The
manatee looks like huge porker squeezed
fiat" or an elongated pancake" 1t is gem
orally from eight to twelve feet in length,
and from four to six feet broad and it has a
fiat body. Its head is shaped something like
cows, with a round muzzle. The skin is
dark and rough, and hangs in folds similar
to that of hippopotamus or rhinoceros; it
issparsely covered with hair. The animals
eyes are wellnigh covered up by the folds of
flesh or skin that hang loose around its
head. The animals weigh from nine hun
drcd pounds upward, and though most help
less and ungainiy-looking creatures when on
land. yet in the water they are exceedingly
spry, their fukes and flippers sending them
through the water with incredible speed
They are very acute Of ear. and detect sounds
on the water for long distance, hence their
capture Is matter OF no small skill and dex-
terity. They live on grass almost wholly,
and there are only few places on the coast
where they have feeding grounds.
St Lucie River, which opens into Indian
RIVER from the Halpatteeoka Greek some
miles above this place, is their favorite haunt
here. The stream is short, wide and with
little current The waters are dark, and the
bed OF the river is covered with thick
growth OF vegetation, a "sea-cow" grass be-
ing the principal plant Many other rare
plants are also found along its banks, none
OF which grow elsewhere.
Three tine specimens were captured last
fall, and two others two months ago. The
last party used a very heavy and strong
purse net, strengthened with extra ropes.
They selected a cove near the mouth of the
river, where the water was about twelve feet
deep. The net, which was three hundred
feet long and with very large meshes, was
extended between stakes set at the bottom
and shaped SO as to have an open place left
at the lower side, as the nantes eat against
the stream. After the trap was set, the party
retired to their camp, nearly mile away.
and patiently awaited results. The net was
visited every day, but beyond an alligator or
shark nothing was secured. At length, after
eight or nine days of waiting, their patience
was rewarded by finding one noon two fine
specimens entangled in the nets meshes.
The task to get them out was not an easy one
py any mtduS. Wnlle the animals were
timid enough when not molested. yet when
at bay they were antagonists not to be de-
spised. The net was gradually brought in
toward shore, the animals making furious
rushes and plunges as they felt the enclos-
ing wings Of net A hatboat was then
pushed up close to the net, strong ropes
were thrown around the maDatee, and it
was so tightly wrapped up and enveloped
that it conld not move. This was attended
with considerable danger, and one of the
men received a severe wound in the thigh
knocked senseless by blow from its huge
and powerful tail.
Both animals were finally secured, and
then, by means of powerful tackle, lifted
on to the bats and placed in tanks. They
were then taken to Titusyille, shipped
tihence to Jacksonville, and after being Wis
iLea at the Sub Tropical there for several
lays LA were forwarded to New York, there to
DC sold to menagerie.