Back before the tourism tide started by Disney World, Central Florida was a vast land of varied native wildlife that could be found just minutes outside Orlando, sometimes even in Orlando. The good news is that you can still find a place not far away to get your nature fix.
Less than two hours west of the tourism kingdom is Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park can introduce you to Florida's birds and many of the state's endangered species, including West Indian manatees, whooping cranes, red wolves and a Florida panther.
A boardwalk offers great views of the wildlife, including bears, bobcats, river otters, alligators and a wide variety of wading birds, birds of prey and songbirds.
The Fish Bowl is an underwater observatory that offers an unparalleled, below-the-surface view of resident manatees. Fresh and saltwater fish also come and go in the crystal-clear spring environment. Three manatee programs, two wildlife encounters and an alligator program are presented daily.
For visitors, the darlings of the place are the manatees. Park services specialist Susan Strawbridge said Homosassa Springs has been a manatee refuge and rehabilitation center since 1980 (before it became a state park in 1989). There are seven resident manatees (including two in rehab). When possible, rehabilitated manatees are released back into the wild.
Related to elephants, the gray or gray-brown manatees have a large seal-like body that tapers to a spatulate tail. Despite weighing as much as 3,000 pounds, manatees are rather fragile creatures that are gentle and slow-moving. Boat propellers, poaching, pollution and ingestion of fishhooks all pose serious threats to the graceful giants.
Their reproductive cycle doesn't help. Females are 5 to 9 years old before they can reproduce, and males must be 6 to 9 years old before mating. Females usually only bear calves every two to five years, and the gestation period is 13 months.
The park makes a relaxing respite away from Florida's tourism centers.
Admission is $13 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12. 352-628-5343, homosassasprings.orgCopyright © 2015, Sun Sentinel