| Star Lake Manatee Project announced. Efforts to clean up Star Lake have received a major boost with the generous donation of a pair of freshwater manatees that will be introduced into the lake as soon as the ice has cleared. Bradley and Mary Parker, formerly of Mount Holly, have agreed to provide the manatees from their private aquarium in Bar Harbor, Maine. The mammals, also known as "sea cows", are expected to clear the lake of excessive vegetation before the summer boating and swimming season according to the Star Lake Homeowners Association. Mr. Parker said that the two young manatees, which weigh about 850 pounds each, are docile, aquatic, air breathing mammals that are mostly herbivores and can consume over 100 pounds of plants per day. Manatees feed on aquatic plants for up to 10 hours per day and sleep much of the remaining time. They have been successfully introduced to clear clogged rivers and waterways for boaters and swimmers in several areas. Freshwater manatees are slow moving, nonaggressive mammals that are one of four known species of manatees. They can grow up to 12 feet in length and prefer to live in shallow, marshy areas like Star Lake. Manatees can live up to 60 years and their primary predators are crocodiles, not believed to occur in Star Lake. Happy April Fools' Day! | 
