I had been here as a child. It had been a private exotic animal park. The state bought it and made it into a park. It is
very natural and beautiful. The main attraction is the manatees. They have 6 manatees that have been rescued. They
were all injured in some way. They are all females. The manatees are kept in a huge holding area that houses the
springs. They dump 2,000,000 gallons of 72 degree water a hour. This is ideal for the manatees. During the cold
months as many as several hundred wild manatees come to the spring area for the warm water. The 6 year around
ones are kept several by an iron fence. Fish can go through the fence. The park is very well maintained and we
enjoyed our day there. The bird of prey were exceptionally nice. I also enjoyed the Red Wolf display as I have been
reading about them. Of course, they have lots of alligators, but since we see them daily, it was no big deal for us to
see them.
very natural and beautiful. The main attraction is the manatees. They have 6 manatees that have been rescued. They
were all injured in some way. They are all females. The manatees are kept in a huge holding area that houses the
springs. They dump 2,000,000 gallons of 72 degree water a hour. This is ideal for the manatees. During the cold
months as many as several hundred wild manatees come to the spring area for the warm water. The 6 year around
ones are kept several by an iron fence. Fish can go through the fence. The park is very well maintained and we
enjoyed our day there. The bird of prey were exceptionally nice. I also enjoyed the Red Wolf display as I have been
reading about them. Of course, they have lots of alligators, but since we see them daily, it was no big deal for us to
see them.
Homosassa Springs State Park
We parked out on US 19 and took a 20 minute boat ride down the natural Pepper Creek to the actual springs. Lots of wild life there and
some beautiful natural scenery. A great trip.
some beautiful natural scenery. A great trip.
Nancy took some great reflective shots on the boat ride. We have started to do a lots more state parks as
they are very interesting and a great value.
they are very interesting and a great value.
There were 1,000's of mullet jumping in the springs area.
This African hippo was going to be put to sleep as nobody would take
him and only native animals can be at state parks. Governor Childs
made him an honorary Floridian. More of him later.
him and only native animals can be at state parks. Governor Childs
made him an honorary Floridian. More of him later.
Several Key deer at the park. Only 300 left in the wild. They are smaller than the white tailed living in Florida.
We say the staff working on several manatee. They come into the
pens and are treated for wounds and other medical problems.
pens and are treated for wounds and other medical problems.
They shuttle through these underwater chutes.
This one was next to the PVC back scratcher attached to the underwater
observation room.
observation room.
I have caught many snook, but never seen then like this through the
glass.
glass.
Swimming upside down.
Manatee with a carrot.
Manatee salad bar.
This one was treated with the purple gentian violet which stops
infections.
infections.
The trainer was feeding them sweet potato.