Crystal River

Hundreds of manatees are beginning to enter the waterways of Crystal River this month, marking the beginning of manatee season, which officially started on Nov. 15 and will continue until the end of March.

The beloved sea cows still face many threats, but deaths this year were not as high as in 2021 and 2022, when conservation groups say a record die-off claimed 20 percent of the population.

The highest concentration is in Central and North Florida, including most of the 30 “first magnitude” springs —those that discharge at least 65 million gallons of water daily. Most are considered polluted.

The lawsuit is targeting recent cuts in staff at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, where reports have surfaced of manatees being harassed.

Crystal River is famous for its manatees, when hundreds flock snout to snout in the warm waters of Three Sisters Spring during winter cold snaps. But there's also a key species hiding in its waters that most people never heard of. We go on a trip to Crystal River, where two scientists are researching bull sharks.