Manatee Season Seems To Be Over Early In S. Fla.

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – It's not only the snowbirds who flock to South Florida over the winter, it's also the manatees, but as the temperatures warm up, the manatee season now appears to be over in South Florida.

The endangered marine mammals' winter migration season officially runs through March 31. But recent aerial surveys found just 20 manatees in Palm Beach County and 12 in Broward County. In December, their numbers stood at 799 in Palm Beach and 967 in Broward.

Manatee season and its accompanying stricter boating rules starts again Nov. 15.

Also known as a sea cow, the West Indian Manatee is a protected species.

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