Floyd - our Manatee Mascot

 

I am thrilled that 54 of you dedicated walkers adopted me.  THANKS!

Please visit me in Blue Springs State Park but I may just may be moving on as the weather warms.  You can always try to spot me on the “cam”.


The use of a live manatee for the mascot was a natural choice given their large presence in Florida waters, the large following in Florida and other parts of the southeast, and the closeness of many walk events at their winter homes in springs and rivers. Our Meandering Manatee Club, the Natures Coast Hiking and Biking Club, Suncoast Sandpipers, and Florida Volkssport Association all have walks at manatee locations or have adopted manatees. Our choice of Floyd, a 34 year old male, was to highlight the injuries they can suffer in Florida waters. Plus he likes to have fun and is friendly.


Floyd is an endangered manatee who frequents Blue Spring State Park on the St Johns River in Orange City, just north of Orlando, Florida. We chose a live mascot who represents a large group of endangered aquatic marine mammals that frequent Florida rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters.

Floyd was born in the summer of 1978 and has spent every winter at Blue Spring State Park since birth. Floyd is easily identified by the park’s rangers because of the large, crescent-shaped indentation on his side, and an old injury which left him with only half a tail. Both of these were caused by boat strikes. He is a "ham," often seen in films and magazines. Never one to miss out on fun times, Floyd has the reputation of being very playful and active. He seems to share a mischievous fondness for sneaking up on unsuspecting researchers and photographers. When they least expect it, they get a manatee boost from behind and are pushed to the surface of the water. Floyd seems to enjoy “striking a pose” for photographers.

We invite you to “Walk for Floyd” as you visit the state and support Save the Manatee Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee® program as you register for the Convention or while in Florida. For those who adopt Floyd during  preregistration, a Save the Manatee tee shirt will uniquely feature the AVA logo and wording “18th AVA Biennial Convention”.  Those who adopt Floyd for $35 after this date will still receive the special Save the Manatee Club tee, while quantities last, but it will not be personalized with the AVA logo. Each adoption includes an adoption certificate/biography, an informational handbook, and both the Club’s print and email newsletters. 

To learn more about manatees and Save the Manatee Club, visit their educational website at savethemanatee.org. Information and photos courtesy of the Save the Manatee Club.