Read previewSouth Florida residents recently noticed an unusual new neighbor in their artificial lake: a manatee. Some Florida manatees travel through the ocean around the US, from Texas to as far north as Delaware. Experts have seen manatees in this area for the past few years, so the big visitor isn't totally unique. How to help your local, neighborhood manateeSometimes people can be a little overzealous in trying to help manatees, Howell said. AdvertisementIf Florida residents are concerned about a manatee who seems in distress, they can call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922, Howell said.

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Persons: —, Bill Barnett, Amber Howell, Howell Organizations: Service, Pembroke Pines, WPLG, Business, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Thomson, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration Locations: Florida, Pembroke, Riviera Beach, Thomson Reuters Florida, Texas, Delaware