Manatee rescue and verification. Final report.

Abstract

This report describes a project that was undertaken by the Marine Mammal Stranding Investigations Program (MMSIP) at Mote Marine Laboratory to provide response to reports of sick, injured, or dead manatees for Manatee and Sarasota Counties on the central west coast of Florida. This study reports on manatee rescue and verification activities during July and August 2002 and also provides a summary for the data collected since October 2001. In July and August, a total of 31 manatee-related calls were recorded: 13 in Sarasota County, 14 in Manatee County, and 4 from Charlotte County. When interacting with the public during these calls, the researchers had the opportunity to educate residents and visitors about manatee behavior and general biology. These efforts, though on a small scale, contribute to the larger cause of protecting and preserving manatees, and are deemed necessary in the recovery plan for the species.