![Free Wheelie: Manatee returns to Blue Spring without tire around waist](https://www.clickorlando.com/resizer/O98wDAFNJhZIOA3grAq31K7peIw=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/12-10-2019/t_37731258f1e24eda88a88b3fa95a3a1d_name_image.jpg)
Free Wheelie: Manatee returns to Blue Spring without tire around waist
ORANGE CITY, Fla. โ A manatee that a year ago was seen swimming around Blue Spring State Park with a bicycle tire cinching its waist has returned to the crystal clear waters free of the trap. Officials from Save the Manatee Club said Friday they donโt know how the manatee managed to shake the tire lose but they mentioned that Wheelie, as the manatee was called by the public, was struck by a boatโs propeller in February and that strike cut and weakened the tire. Also called Schwinn by researchers, the manatee now has deep scars around its midsection where the bike tire was once entangled. Wheelie the manatee now has scars from where a bike tire was stuck around its waist. Save the Manatee Club manatee research associate Cora Berchem first spotted Wheelie on Wednesday on an above-water livestreaming webcam.
![Save the Manatee Club in need of manatee observers at Blue Spring State Park](https://www.clickorlando.com/resizer/xEgG3olGNl5qJpCkpi1ulcZnENw=/1280x720/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/AYQLBIF4VZCCVCAPAHA4GJTAJ4.jpg)
Save the Manatee Club in need of manatee observers at Blue Spring State Park
The Save the Manatee Club, in partnership with Blue Spring State Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and Volusia County, is in need of volunteers to be manatee observers. The volunteer program operates from March to November at Blue Spring State Park because that is โswim seasonโ when park visitors may come in contact with manatees. The volunteers are there to โhelp prevent manatee harassment and to educate visitors about proper behavior around manatees. Two mandatory training sessions are scheduled at Blue Spring State Park on March 5 and March 14 at 10 a.m. for two to three hours. To sign up, email cberchem@savethemanatee.org with your preferred training date and whether youโd like a kayak training session.