Unexpected guests have the power to stop us in our tracks—especially when they're endangered sea cows. This was the case in late August when a West Indian manatee brought a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) ferry construction project in Port Aransas to a halt. According to TxDOT, crews paused their work when the creature was spotted swimming close to the operations.
While TxDOT has the duty to ensure the safety of drivers, contractors, and employees, their responsibility extends to local wildlife, too. When the teams from Russell Marine, who are leading the $64 million upgrade to ferries' ramps and landings, noticed the animal, they knew the protocol. They reported the sighting to TxDOT, adhering to guidelines put in place during the project's planning phase.
"The safety of the public, our contractors, and TxDOT employees is always our top priority," said Mike Walsh, TxDOT district engineer in Corpus Christi. "But protecting wildlife near our projects is also critical." The manatee—a federally protected species— was observed for several hours and wasn't in distress. Soon after, it swam away toward Corpus Christi Bay, prompting work to resume.
Manatee appearances in Texas may be unusual, but are becoming more common as these animals tend to migrate from Mexico and Florida during the summer months. TxDOT is keyed in on these patterns and has made environmental stewardship a central part of its operations. They routinely implement safeguards for native species, including wildlife crossings for ocelots and installing bat houses under bridges.
