Abstract:
This report describes photographic identification surveys of manatees in four areas of southwestern Florida. These include Matlacha Isles, the Florida Power and Light Fort Myers power plant, Burnt Store Marina, and 10-mile canal, Sarasota County, from late fall 2005 to early spring 2006. These areas were selected to further develop and increase sightings histories of manatees in the Southwest subpopulation. Data collected during these surveys will update, expand and improve the collaborative statewide scar catalog (MIPS) by documenting individual manatees at primary and secondary winter refuge sites, as well as non-winter sites, and establish sighting histories for new distinct individuals.
