Jacksonville Zoo speaks out about how boaters can avoid hitting manatees

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Despite an attempted rescue, a Mayport manatee did not survive her trip to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Manatee Critical Care Center on Wednesday.

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  • Designate someone on board to look out for manatees while the boat is moving.
  • Look for a circular wave pattern left by their tails, known as manatee footprints.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses, which reduce glare and help to see manatees better underwater.