TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — While Gasparilla is fun for Tampa residents, it can prove dangerous for any manatees that might wander into the middle of the invasion.
About a month before the invasion, a captain goes out every weekend to see if there are any manatees in the invasion area.
Once the big day comes, crews on boats and even Eagle 8 keep an eye out for any manatees in the area.
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If a manatee is spotted, teams are deployed to protect the animal and close off the area from private boats.
