Partners from the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, Inc. (MRP), a group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities that collaborate on the rescue, rehabilitation, release, and post-release monitoring of manatees, will release more than a dozen manatees back into their natural habitats in Florida over the next couple of weeks.
The MRP wants to remind those who might see a tagged manatee from their dock or while boating to not approach, follow, or interact with these manatees and to not tamper with the tracking gear.
Young manatees with little experience need to learn many things in the wild, including where to find warm water during the winter for survival, food, and shelter. “The gear we deploy on manatees allows us to monitor their movement and behavior. When an animal loses their tracking gear, we become very concerned that they might not make it. It is their lifeline for us to provide assistance and rescue if needed,” said Monica Ross, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), partnering agency responsible for the monitoring of MRP manatees. Unfortunately, this happened recently with the formerly rehabilitated manatee “Asha,” who was released at a warm water site last winter but had her tracking gear removed by a citizen. Unable to find warm water, Asha died from cold exposure near Jacksonville early this January. “The GPS tracking gear Asha had been fitted with was removed by a citizen about two weeks after her release,” said Craig Miller, Curator of Manatee Conservation at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “If Asha still had her GPS gear, the MRP would have known she was in too-cold waters, and we could have intervened and saved her life. Not only are the partners in the MRP incredibly dedicated, but we all share the common goal of seeing manatees living freely in the wild.”
Many of these animals are considered high-risk and are outfitted with satellite tracking gear that allows the MRP to monitor them closely as they are reintroduced back into their natural habitat. This intensive monitoring will help the MRP make sure the manatees are acclimating appropriately and is a critical tool for ensuring their survival.
“These devices are completely safe for manatees and are built to break away should the equipment get entangled on anything,” said Jenn Galbraith from CMARI. “It does not inhibit the movement or natural behavior of the manatee. In fact, they can be lifesavers. If a manatee fails to find warm water habitat in the wintertime, loses too much weight by not eating enough food, or moves into an area not sustainable for survival, the MRP can intervene and initiate a rescue.”
It is important for members of the public to report tagged manatees or any manatee in distress to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 1-888-404-3922. Reports provide valuable data on the manatee’s location and behavior and, in the case of a malfunctioning tag, enable researchers to locate the animal. “We ask that if anyone has any concerns for a manatee to not try to intervene but immediately report your information to the FWC Wildlife hotline number at 1-888-404-3922. Our biologist will reach out to you for more information to evaluate the case and decide if a rescue is needed. Your report could save a life, help us help them,” says Andy Garrett, FWC Statewide Stranding Coordinator.
