January 26, 2015
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla—The Conservation Fund announced today the acquisition of the 2.7-acre Paradise Point property in Crystal River, FL, an internationally renowned haven for manatees. Surrounded by the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge complex, this tract is critical to the protection of the federally endangered Florida manatee. It is the ideal location for annual manatee health checks, education, and monitoring activities. Crystal River/Kings Bay is the largest, natural winter refuge for manatees in the world, hosting over 550 manatees each winter (approximately 10% of the population). The chance to see a manatee brings thousands of visitors to Crystal River every year and ecotourism has become a major part of the local economy. Protection of Paradise Point will help protect the health of manatees in Crystal River and throughout their range.
The acquisition of Paradise Point will complement nearby Three Sisters Springs, which supports hundreds of wintering manatees each year. The permanent protection of Three Sisters Springs in 2010 was a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the City of Crystal River, the Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Save the Manatee Club and The Conservation Fund.
Paradise Point is located at the entrance to the canal that leads to Three Sisters, the most heavily used area of the bay for manatee viewing. The low-tide exposed beaches of the property have proven to be one of the best places in northwest Florida to safely capture manatees for research purposes. U.S. Geological Survey scientists will be performing quick captures of manatees for annual health checks this month and in February.
The Florida manatee has no natural enemies and may live to 60 years or more. Although some manatee fatalities occur resulting from collisions with watercraft, drowning from entanglement with debris, and ingestion of fishhooks and other hazards, a certain percentage of manatee mortality can be attributed to natural causes of death such as cold stress, gastrointestinal disease, pneumonia, and other diseases.
The Conservation Fund acquired Paradise Point in January 2015 with the intent of ultimately transferring it to an appropriate entity to manage the property. No public access is anticipated at this time.
Florida manatees in the United States are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Florida manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land since 1985.
Press Release Contacts
Ann Simonelli | The Conservation Fund | 703-908-5809 | asimonelli@conservationfund.org
Robin Murphy | The Conservation Fund | 703-797- 2507 | rmurphy@conservationfund.org
The acquisition of Paradise Point will complement nearby Three Sisters Springs, which supports hundreds of wintering manatees each year. The permanent protection of Three Sisters Springs in 2010 was a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the City of Crystal River, the Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Save the Manatee Club and The Conservation Fund.
Paradise Point is located at the entrance to the canal that leads to Three Sisters, the most heavily used area of the bay for manatee viewing. The low-tide exposed beaches of the property have proven to be one of the best places in northwest Florida to safely capture manatees for research purposes. U.S. Geological Survey scientists will be performing quick captures of manatees for annual health checks this month and in February.
The Florida manatee has no natural enemies and may live to 60 years or more. Although some manatee fatalities occur resulting from collisions with watercraft, drowning from entanglement with debris, and ingestion of fishhooks and other hazards, a certain percentage of manatee mortality can be attributed to natural causes of death such as cold stress, gastrointestinal disease, pneumonia, and other diseases.
The Conservation Fund acquired Paradise Point in January 2015 with the intent of ultimately transferring it to an appropriate entity to manage the property. No public access is anticipated at this time.
Florida manatees in the United States are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Florida manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land since 1985.
Press Release Contacts
Ann Simonelli | The Conservation Fund | 703-908-5809 | asimonelli@conservationfund.org
Robin Murphy | The Conservation Fund | 703-797- 2507 | rmurphy@conservationfund.org
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