If you spot several manatees grouped together close to shore, don’t be alarmed.

Scientists from Mote’s Manatee Research Program said it’s mating season and love is in the air.

“They’re not in any danger,” said Jennifer Johnson, Staff Biologist at Mote’s Manatee Research Program. “It’s a normal behavior. We see it usually several times over the summer and sometimes not at all.”

Recently there have been a few sightings of the mating manatees in the area.

Mote scientists would like to remind the public to keep a safe distance from manatees, especially mating herds, for the safety of both the animals and people.

“During these events we ask you to keep your distance, you know 50 or 100 feet away,” said Johnson.  “We want you to see what’s going on, but manatees are thrashing during mating, so you could be injured by one.”

Johnson said mating herds occur when multiple males attempt to mate with a female that is in estrus, or ready to conceive. 

The males pursue the female for up to several weeks.

During this time, the group can end up in shallow waters along beaches.

Ollwynne and Anthony Lowbridge, who are visiting Bradenton from England, said they are fascinated with manatees.  

“It’s lovely to see the creatures in their natural habitat,” said Ollwynne.

While on their trip, the couple saw a large group of manatees together and learned what they were doing.

“There was a group of them at one point and a lady at the restaurant explained it was mating season and it wasn’t a problem,” said Ollwynne.

Scientists at Mote are asking anyone who sees mating herds, to contact them. They’re using the information to learn more about manatees.

Johnson said a sighting on April 30, at South Lido Park led to some interesting information.

“The cool thing about this mating herd is that the focal female was 'Tomo-Bella', a manatee that we've been documenting in local waters for over 20 years and that we helped rescue and release in 2012,” said Johnson.

Tomo-Bella was rescued along with her calf, “Sara-Bella,” by staff from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Mote in July 2012 because she had a fresh wound on her head and was showing unusual behavior.

She was taken to Lowry Park Zoo and found to have red-tide toxins in her blood. She stayed there until September, when Mote helped FWC and Lowry staff release her and her calf at Ken Thompson Park on City Island, Sarasota.

This mating herd marks the second time Mote has seen Tomo-Bella since her release.

Scientists in Mote’s Manatee Research Program took photos of the herd so they could later try to identify the individual manatees.

They also gathered data about the manatees’ behavior and the environment where the mating herd was located.

The West Indian manatee is an endangered species protected under state and federal laws.

Boaters and beachgoers are advised to give the mating herds a wide berth. It is illegal to touch, feed, or sit on a manatee.

If you see a mating manatee herd, call the Mote hotline at: 941-388-4441, EXT. 379.

Callers should leave a message with exact information of where the manatees are located.