Digging deep to save Florida’s manatees

Increased depth of water by up to 3ft

February 2012: Manatees are returning to Florida's Fanning Springs after work to restore the waters to its historic depths.

The theory had been that by increasing depths, more manatees would be able to use the area of the Suwannee River - and as work progressed the theory quickly proved true.

‘As the project was going on, more and more manatees were showing up at Fanning Springs. We went from two to four manatees to eight or 12,' said Ron Mezich, who works on manatees and aquatic habitat at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). ‘For manatees in wintertime, it is a warm-water refuge.'

Underwater cleaning carried out by handFrom early November 2011 through early January 2012, underwater cleaning of the springs was carried out by a scuba diver holding a hand-held device similar to a giant vacuum cleaner. Hand cleaning was the preferred method as it minimizes any disturbance to the springs' waters and gives the opportunity to preserve any artifacts found in the removed sediment.

Park staff and volunteers sifted through more than 500 cubic yards of removed sediment and found boards and an ash rake from a former sawmill on the site, as well as coins, including a liberty half-dollar and buffalo nickel.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/manatee-sediment.html

Annual manatee death count shows cold weather an unusually big factor again

Manatee deaths high again

January 2011. A cold-related die-off of manatees in early 2011 set the stage for a third straight year with high numbers of deaths for the species. Biologists with the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) documented 453 manatee carcasses in state waters in 2011.

During the past three years, biologists documented the highest levels of cold-related manatee deaths, with the "cold stress" category accounting for 112 in 2011, 282 in 2010 and 56 in 2009. In the previous five years, cold stress accounted for an average of 30 manatee deaths per year.

2010 worst year
The total number of reported manatee deaths in 2011 was the second-highest on record. Biologists documented a record 766 manatee deaths in 2010 and recorded the third-highest total of 429 in 2009.

"We are concerned about the number of manatee deaths the past three years, including those resulting from exposure to cold weather," said Gil McRae, director of the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. "Over the next few years, we will use data from monitoring programs to better understand any long-term implications for the population. We will continue to work with our partners to enhance the availability of natural warm-water sites, which are important habitats for the species' survival," McRae said.

FWC researchers, managers and law enforcement staff work closely together to evaluate mortality data and identify necessary actions. Managers focus on actions that can reduce risks to manatees and protect foraging and warm-water habitats. The FWC's Division of Law Enforcement, in cooperation with partner agencies, uses knowledge of local boating habits, well-posted speed zones and up-to-date manatee information as part of its on-the-water enforcement operations. Informing boaters about manatee conservation and enforcing manatee-protection zones are priorities for the FWC.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/manatee-deaths011.html

Chessie (the manatee) returns to Chesapeake Bay (via Chad Arment)

Famous Manatee Sighted in Chesapeake Bay After Long Absence

Gainesville, Fla. – A manatee spotted this week in Calvert County, Maryland is the same one that first made waves 17 years ago when he appeared in Chesapeake Bay just before the onset of winter and later had to be rescued.


Named "Chessie," the manatee's identity was verified by U.S. Geological Survey biologist Cathy Beck, who used photos taken July 12 and matched them with Chessie's photographic record in a USGS manatee database. Chessie's tell-tale markings include a long, gray scar on his left side.

USGS scientists regularly document manatee sightings to analyze life histories of individuals as part of an ongoing effort to estimate adult survival rates of the endangered Florida manatee. Yet, biologists were surprised to find it was Chessie, a well-known manatee who has not been seen for about 10 years. The last time USGS researchers confirmed a sighting of Chessie was after he swam through Great Bridge Locks in Virginia on August 30, 2001.

By then, Chessie was already well known. After being found in the Kent Narrows area of the Chesapeake Bay in the fall of 1994, researchers became concerned about how he would fare in the oncoming winter. Manatees suffer negative health effects when they endure water temperatures below 68 degrees for any length of time. With water temperatures dropping in the bay, the Marine Animal Rescue Program at the National Aquarium worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seaworld Orlando, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to rescue Chessie. He was cared for at the aquarium for several days before being successfully flown back to Florida and released.

The current sighting is not driving any plans to rescue Chessie, as the water is still warm and manatees typically work their way back down the eastern seaboard to Florida on their own when cooler weather sets in.

Scientists are not sure whether Chessie visits the Chesapeake Bay every year. After Chessie's 1994 rescue, USGS tagged him and found that he did migrate back to Chesapeake Bay the following spring. Much of what scientists know about manatee migration comes from studies that use radio and satellite tags to reveal key facts about manatees' habitat needs, such as how they use seagrasses and winter refuges.

In general, scientists believe manatee migration from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay may not be unusual, and in fact Chessie was named after legendary sightings of a "sea monster" in the Chesapeake Bay throughout the twentieth century.

Chessie was spotted and identified this year due to the help of two bystanders who took pictures of him and contacted Jennifer Dittmar, the National Aquarium's Coordinator for the Northeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Dittmar forwarded Beck photos of the manatees head and back.

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2855

Unusually cold weather killing Florida's manatees

(Reuters) - Unusually cold weather last winter killed Florida's endangered manatees at a record rate, a report said on Friday.


During 2010, a record 699 manatees have died in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Research Institute.

Of those, 244 were attributed to cold weather and many of the 271 undetermined deaths were also likely caused by weather. In most years, the leading cause of manatee deaths is from collisions with power boats.

The latest surveys estimate there are only about 5,000 of the chubby marine mammals left in Florida waters.

"We are very concerned about the unusually high number of manatee deaths this year," Gil McRae, the director of the institute, said in a statement. "The cold-related deaths this past winter emphasize the importance of warm weather habitat to the Florida manatee."

The previous record of 429 manatee deaths was set in 2009 but only 56 of those were caused by cold weather.

Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the state of Florida has enacted laws to require slower motor boat speeds in some waters to prevent manatee accidents.

Manatees require warm, shallow water to survive. They often swim near power plants in the winter for warmth.

(Writing by Robert Green, editing by Greg McCune)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6B963X20101210

Unusually cold weather killing Florida's manatees

(Reuters) - Unusually cold weather last winter killed Florida's endangered manatees at a record rate, a report said on Friday.


During 2010, a record 699 manatees have died in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Research Institute.

Of those, 244 were attributed to cold weather and many of the 271 undetermined deaths were also likely caused by weather. In most years, the leading cause of manatee deaths is from collisions with power boats.

The latest surveys estimate there are only about 5,000 of the chubby marine mammals left in Florida waters.

"We are very concerned about the unusually high number of manatee deaths this year," Gil McRae, the director of the institute, said in a statement. "The cold-related deaths this past winter emphasize the importance of warm weather habitat to the Florida manatee."

The previous record of 429 manatee deaths was set in 2009 but only 56 of those were caused by cold weather.

Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the state of Florida has enacted laws to require slower motor boat speeds in some waters to prevent manatee accidents.

Manatees require warm, shallow water to survive. They often swim near power plants in the winter for warmth.

(Writing by Robert Green, editing by Greg McCune)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6B963X20101210

AN UNUSUAL VISITOR: Manatee spotted near Clinton marina

Susan Misur, New Haven Register
Saturday, August 21, 2010

CLINTON—The state logged its first manatee sighting of the summer this week when one of the marine mammals was spotted swimming near Cedar Island Marina Friday and in Bridgeport and Fairfield Wednesday.

Janelle Schuh, a stranding coordinator with Mystic Aquarium who handles reports of distressed animals, said Mystic received calls about the animal and that there are usually one to three manatee sightings a year.

They typically occur in late summer and early fall, and it’s unknown why the animals come this far north, since they most likely come from Florida, Schuh added.

Some manatees routinely come north year after year, but Schuh said she is not yet sure if the one spotted this week is one that usually comes to the Connecticut shore. She added that she’ll be sending photos residents took of the manatee to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if it matches the description of any in its database.

“There are definitely cases where the same individual animals are seen in the northeast in year’s past and it’s just a normal route for them, so to speak,” Schuh said.

Schuh believes the manatee seen in Bridgeport and Fairfield earlier this week is the same one found in the Cedar Island Marina Friday because of the time frame and proximity of the towns.

On Friday, the manatee was swimming in Clinton in about three feet of water, which Schuh says was normal behavior, as the mammals usually stay close to the shore and eat off the ocean floor. She wasn’t sure if it was an adult, which could weigh around 1,000 pounds.

Mystic employees will observe manatees or other animals spotted near the shoreline to ensure they aren’t in need of rescue, Schuh said.

“We let them do what they’re going to do until they’re showing behaviorally that they need some sort of rescue,” she explained. “If it was really injured, we’d go help it, like if it had gotten struck by a boat.”

If people spot a manatee near the Connecticut shoreline, they shouldn’t give it fresh water or food because it will stay in the area, Schuh. As the weather and water gets colder, it could be dangerous for the manatee to remain here.

“They’ll hang out by side of people’s boats if there’s a fresh water hose going over the side and drink underneath that,” she added. “As great as is to continue watching a manatee, we don’t want them to stay in an area where there is a lot of boats. They get acclimated quickly once you start feeding and giving them water.”

http://middletownpress.com/articles/2010/08/21/news/doc4c6ffe269a35f188177490.txt

Trapped manatees looking for love rescued

Jul 15, 7:18 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) -- A group of manatees looking for love are safe after being stranded in a shallow canal in Miami. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino said four or five male manatees were trying to mate with a female in the canal. Pino said the water in the canal may have been too dirty for the sea cows to see through. Wildlife officials managed to coerce all the manatees to swim out of the shallow area on Monday.

Pino said it's not uncommon to see several manatees in one place during the summer, when mating is most frequent. Last year, ten manatees appeared on the shores of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea to mate.

---

Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ODD_TRAPPED_MANATEES

P.R. Manatee Conservation Center partners with world’s largest aquarium

The Puerto Rico Manatee Conservation Center, directed by the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, joined efforts with the Georgia Aquarium through a partnership agreement that aims to promote the conservation and preservation of marine species.

The partnership will feature the mutual support from the entities in developing new projects and expanding current ones, particularly efforts that promote the development of the P.R. Manatee Conservation Center, that works for the conservation of manatees through scientific investigations, rescue missions, rehabilitation and community outreach projects.

“We have worked with the vice-president of the Aquarium, Dr. Bossart, who’s been in charge of veterinary medicine, since 1990. He has actively participated in our manatee mortality research since that time by reading
us the pathology of dying manatees in Puerto Rico. This led into developing a partnership between our university and the aquarium to continue working together,” stated Antonio Mignucci, head of the PRMCC.

The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, is the world's largest aquarium with more than 8.1 million gallons of both salt and fresh water, housing more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species. Chief veterinary officer for the Aquarium, Dr. Gregory Bossart, will serve as adjunct professor of the Center, as well as a consulting veterinarian, providing support to the institution’s veterinarians. In exchange, Mignucci will serve as adjunct researcher of the Aquarium.

As Mignucci explained, this partnership will help develop exchanges between the staff of the Center and the Aquarium, as well as offering students, volunteers and technicians the chance to go to the aquarium for training and internships.

“The Georgia Aquarium is highly regarded and has a tremendous expertise in animal care, water quality and veterinary medicine. This provides us with the knowledge that will helps us get a better Center and help the manatees more effectively,” added Mignucci.

Meanwhile, the formal facilities for the P.R. Manatee Conservation Center will presumably begin construction in July, on the campus of the Inter American University in Bayamón, with an investment of about $700,000. The
project includes laboratories for scientific research, food supply resources and veterinary care for manatees in captivity and /or rehabilitation. It will also includes a multipurpose room to receive and guide students from schools and universities so they can see at first-hand the research, rehabilitation and conservation efforts of manatees that the CCMPR features.

"Once completed, the Center will continue to conduct manatee rescue and rehabilitation work authorized under permits from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as carrying out other research, conservation and community outreach initiatives. Beginning in August, the Center will also house two Florida manatees, that will serve as surrogate parents to Puerto Rican manatee calves rescued in the island," said Mignucci.

The P.R. Manatee Conservation Center also has a cooperative agreement with the Puerto Rico National Guard for the support of manatee liberations by providing a space for a seapen in Punta Salinas, in Toa Baja. In addition, the Center also has an agreement with the Omacha Foundation in Colombia to provide advice on manatee rehabilitation care.

http://www.prdailysun.com/news/PR-Manatee-Conservation-Center-partners-with-worlds-largest-aquarium

Marine animal rescue vessel launched

Sunday, March 14 2010

Members of the Manatee Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago accompanied by two officials from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Kelvin Alie and Dr Ian Robinson participated in the launch of a marine animal rescue boat, aptly christened Rescue One, last week.

Also present on the day were members of the Caribbean Animal Welfare Association (CAWA), a non-governmental organisation based in Trinidad with a reach throughout the wider Caribbean and the San Juan Rotary Club, rounding off the partners involved in this initiative.

As the timing of the launch coincided with recent reports of pilot whale sightings in the Gulf of Paria, the opportunity was taken to conduct further investigations, making use of the tremendous expertise of IFAW in marine mammal research and conservation. The capability of Rescue One to conduct such an investigation was brought into play with the deployment of its depth sounders, a marine electronic device that can detect the presence of aquatic life. This equipment was acquired to facilitate research studies currently being undertaken by the Manatee Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago with the support of IFAW, on the distribution of whales and dolphins in TT waters.

Having deployed the research equipment off Chacachacare Island, the team registered that there was some detection of activity in the area. Further scouting revealed the presence of what was initially thought to be pilot whales, but upon closer observations were identified as bottlenose dolphins. The pod comprised at least ten individuals with one young clearly visible.

In an attempt to confirm the identity of some pictures which are circulation, Dr Robinson used his extensive experience working with marine mammals to identify these reputed pilot whales as false killer whales based on the shape of the dorsal fin and the absence of a bulbous head. The literature also suggests that these species are often associated with bottlenose dolphins, the species actually seen during the launch.That these respective organisations have come together to fill the void in marine animal conservation is no surprise, especially as there are complementarities in their respective mandate. The Manatee Conservation Trust, a community-based entity has always had a focus on marine mammals and since its pivotal role in the saving of 14 of the 25 short-finned pilot whales which stranded on the Manzanilla Beach in 1999, has given much of its attention to monitoring of whales and dolphins in the waters off Trinidad and Tobago. It has been in the forefront of following through on reports made by persons on whale sightings or strandings in any part of the country and is often one of the first responders. The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago already has a land-based animal ambulance which allows members to respond to animals which are in distress and this is a natural extension to ensure coverage of both the terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Nirmal Biptah, Curator of the Emperor Valley Zoo felt that the timing of this launch could only complement the new mandate of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc in getting involved in the wider aspect of animal welfare throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc. for the past 60 years focussed mainly on the running of the Emperor Valley Zoo.

For those familiar with the work of the San Juan Rotary Club, this foray into the marine animal rescue cause should come as no surprise. This organisation has a history of involvement in environmental projects and its support for manatee conservation under the Protect our Earth” programme in 1990 — 1991, is what led to the formation of the Manatee Conservation Trust in 1999. Additionally, it has been providing support to the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago for over 15 years.

During the launch, Gupte Lutchmedial, who provides a crucial linkage among the various organisations involved, acknowledged the generous support of the management of La Soufriere Maritime Ltd, which is providing storage and berthing facilities for the boat in Chaguaramas at a discounted rate. He mentioned that in addition, the organisations were extremely fortunate to benefit from the waiving of registration fees for use of this facility. A special thank you was given to Budget Marine Trinidad which gave discounts for the boat equipment and has donated the communication radio on the boat.

The launching of this boat is just the first step in covering the island as very soon another boat will be commissioned for the east coast of Trinidad. As explained by Lutchmedial, “The prevalence of whale strandings in the Manzanilla and Mayaro areas demand that we be in a state of preparedness for any future incidents which may occur in these parts.” As a reminder, in early 2009, there were at least three strandings in this area. Two melon-headed whales were stranded in Mayaro and Manzanilla and another species which could not be identified due to its advanced state of decomposition, washed ashore dead in Guayaguayare.

With Rescue One ready to respond to distress calls, the stage is set to strengthen operations for the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals, especially whales and dolphins. The public can report any sightings of marine animals in distress to the Hotline at 622-5344 or 622-3530.

http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,117289.html

'Sea monster' revealed?

Reported by: Glenn Glazer
1/11 4:27 pm

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL-- Florida Fish and Wildlife biologists believe that the cold weather has helped to uncover a local mystery; the identity of the mysterious sea monster featured on the TV show MonsterQuest which airs on the History Channel.

As hundreds of manatees huddled to stay warm inside the channel of the Florida Power and Light Riviera Beach Power Plant, one of the gentle sea cows stood out due to a distinct feature of its anatomy.

Thought to have been injured by a boat propeller at some point in its life, the manatee's tail grew back into three separate prongs.

Due to the unusual shape, the manatee leaves three separate wakes on the water's surface while swimming just below.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission believes that this is the source of the sea creature shown during a segment last year on Monsterquest.

The origin of last year's other sensational underwater story remains a mystery.

A strange creature dubbed the 'Muck Monster' created strange wake patterns on the surface of the Lake Worth Lagoon.

http://www.wptv.com/content/news/centralpbc/westpalmbeach/story/muck-monster-revealed-wptv-lake-worth-lagoon-manat/yw7CBasHc0-yHG3JLNAI9A.cspx
(Submitted by Lindsay Selby)

Rescue sought for manatee stuck in cold N.J. waterway

By Wayne Parry
Associated Press

Sat, Oct. 17, 2009

A rescue attempt is being planned for Ilya, a Florida manatee stuck near an oil refinery in New Jersey where plunging temperatures and a lack of food are endangering his life.

The gentle sea cow has been known to marine scientists for 10 years as he has made his way up and down the East Coast. He has recently been spotted in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland.

But yesterday, he was huddling near an outfall pipe at a refinery in Linden, the only place he could find warm water.

A nor'easter pummeling New Jersey with wind and rain yesterday was making things even more dangerous for Ilya, who needs to be in water with temperatures of 68 degrees or warmer. The water where he is now is between 60 and 64 degrees.

Charles Underwood, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Ilya may not be able to survive long in such temperatures.

"Above 68, they're OK. Below that, they become susceptible to hypothermia. That's our concern," he said.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a rescue group in Brigantine, N.J., received permission from federal wildlife officials to attempt a rescue this weekend.

Bob Schoelkopf, the center's codirector, said foul weather yesterday made an attempt impossible. The group may try today or tomorrow if the weather improves.

The rescue would involve loading Ilya aboard a boat and taking him to the group's facility, where he could be placed in a heated holding tank for a few days.

After that, Ilya could be flown to Florida, possibly aboard a military transport plane.

The manatee is in a small tributary of the Arthur Kill, a narrow waterway separating New Jersey and Staten Island, N.Y.

Staffers with the group were at the refinery site yesterday, taking photos of Ilya, who appeared to be in good shape.

"He looks fairly robust, from what we can see," Schoelkopf said.

Authorities are guarding the animal, in a section of the fenced-off and heavily guarded refinery inaccessible to the public.

"Some of them were going to get lettuce for him, to try to keep him there until the storm passes," Underwood said.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20091017_Rescue_sought_for_manatee_stuck_in_cold_N_J__waterway.html

(Submitted by Andrew D Gable)

Rescue sought for manatee stuck in cold N.J. waterway

By Wayne Parry
Associated Press

Sat, Oct. 17, 2009

A rescue attempt is being planned for Ilya, a Florida manatee stuck near an oil refinery in New Jersey where plunging temperatures and a lack of food are endangering his life.

The gentle sea cow has been known to marine scientists for 10 years as he has made his way up and down the East Coast. He has recently been spotted in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland.

But yesterday, he was huddling near an outfall pipe at a refinery in Linden, the only place he could find warm water.

A nor'easter pummeling New Jersey with wind and rain yesterday was making things even more dangerous for Ilya, who needs to be in water with temperatures of 68 degrees or warmer. The water where he is now is between 60 and 64 degrees.

Charles Underwood, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Ilya may not be able to survive long in such temperatures.

"Above 68, they're OK. Below that, they become susceptible to hypothermia. That's our concern," he said.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a rescue group in Brigantine, N.J., received permission from federal wildlife officials to attempt a rescue this weekend.

Bob Schoelkopf, the center's codirector, said foul weather yesterday made an attempt impossible. The group may try today or tomorrow if the weather improves.

The rescue would involve loading Ilya aboard a boat and taking him to the group's facility, where he could be placed in a heated holding tank for a few days.

After that, Ilya could be flown to Florida, possibly aboard a military transport plane.

The manatee is in a small tributary of the Arthur Kill, a narrow waterway separating New Jersey and Staten Island, N.Y.

Staffers with the group were at the refinery site yesterday, taking photos of Ilya, who appeared to be in good shape.

"He looks fairly robust, from what we can see," Schoelkopf said.

Authorities are guarding the animal, in a section of the fenced-off and heavily guarded refinery inaccessible to the public.

"Some of them were going to get lettuce for him, to try to keep him there until the storm passes," Underwood said.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20091017_Rescue_sought_for_manatee_stuck_in_cold_N_J__waterway.html

(Submitted by Andrew D Gable)