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Boaters Need To Slow Down For Migrating Manatees

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — South Florida is known for attracting "snow birds" but the warm waters off our coast line also attract manatees which means boaters need to slow down and be careful.

Friday, state wildlife officials issued a statement to boaters to slow down and watch out for the slow-moving mammals as they begin their annual migration to warmer waters.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the migration is the animals' instinctual response to winter's approach.

The commission says boaters can help protect the species often found feeding in shallow sea grass beds by slowing down and following posted speed zones across the state. Many season manatee protection zones go into effect Nov. 15.

November is also Manatee Awareness Month and the manatee is Florida's official state marine mammal.

The FWC asks residents and visitors to report sick, injured, entangled or dead manatees to wildlife officials.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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