Have You Seen a Manatee in a Pinecrest or Nearby Canal?

Published on October 19, 2026

Working in collaboration with Pinecrest, scientists at the University of Miami are mapping how these gentle giants use our neighborhood waterways, and your sighting could be the missing piece.

Pinecrest’s canals do more than move stormwater. They’re also a quiet corridor for one of Florida’s most beloved animals.

Researchers at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and its Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation have teamed up with the Village to understand how manatees move through, rest in, and use the canals that run behind our homes.

Why a resident’s eyes matter

A research team can’t be on every canal at every hour. Residents can. Each report of when and where a manatee appeared helps build a picture of the animal’s habits, which can guide smarter, safer decisions for wildlife and neighbors alike. It’s community science at its most local.

How to report a sighting

1. Spot it. Manatees are large, gray, and slow-moving, often surfacing gently to breathe.

2. Note the details. Where were you, what time was it, and how many did you see?

3. Report it in less than one minute

Spread the word. Tell a canal-side neighbor, because more reports mean better science.

Thank you for being a good neighbor! 

Questions? Contact: Dr. Maria Cartolano: mcartolano@miami.edu