Today's News
A/CPB
Manatee Migration Update: March 19, 1997
With spring temperatures on the rise, many manatees are crossing the Florida border and entering Georgia waters. Here are the latest satellite readings courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey's Sirenia Project. Remember, although we are tracking individual manatees, their travels represent movements of the manatee population. Are you noticing some interesting changes?- Click Here for Today's Satellite Data.
Challenge Question # 7
"As of March 13th, how many miles is north is "March" from her location on January 6th (28.498 N, 80.736 W)?"
To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report.
In our last report, Sonny's location had shifted quite a bit to the east. We asked Challenge Question # 4: "According to satellite data for 2/21/97, where was Sonny located? Trevor Reep and Phil Esposito of Crested Butte, Colorado said, "Sonny is in the St. Johns River because it is getting hotter, and he wants to get to cooler water, which is in the St. Johns River, not Blue Springs." (branclem@tomichi.ghs.gunnison.k12.co.us)
Trevor and Phil could be right about Sonny's real location. However, if you plot the data very carefully you'll land in Orlando (28.570 N, 81.351 W). Is Sonny at Sea World? Let's see what Cathy Beck has to say:
"Just as I was walking out of the office today Jim told me that he removed Sonny's tag--and I had already sent the data to you! The location will plot somewhere in Orlando. Of course there are no radiotagged manatees there - only the captives at Sea World. Sonny's tag and belt were removed because his belt was worn out and the battery was about to go on his transmitter."
The scientists are still trying to recapture Marmontel whose tag fell off in January.
"The crew here tried once again to get Marmontel this morning 3/17/97) in Georgia. Three new manatees were tagged today, but of course Marmontel did not come
into the warm water to get caught! The lat./long. vicinity for her is:
(31.165 N, 81.515 W). On Friday morning (3/14/97) four of our biologists were in Georgia, where Marmontel and her calf were seen on the 13th. They hoped to catch and re-tag her but, unfortunately, she was not seen that morning. Three captures attempts were also made during the week of March 3rd. On Saturday the 8th we almost caught her. She was still with her calf and they are fine, just wiley! Five other manatees were tagged in Georgia and North Florida that week. Attempts will be made again for Marmontel, if the weather and tides are right. I'll keep you posted."
Cathy A. Beck
U.S. Geological Survey - Sirenia Project
Gainesville, Florida
News From the Hot Springs
"It looks like the end of the season!, said Ranger Hartley yesterday, "We haven't had a single manatee here since February 27th. While the air temperature was low on the night of the 10th, the warm daytime temperatures were enough to keep manatees from seeking warmth at Blue Springs. I don't think we'll see any more here until next fall." Here's the head count at Blue Springs for the last month.
Date # Air River Run 3/18/97 0 12-32 C 23 22.7 3/10/97 0 7- 34 23 22.6 3/03/97 0 18-32 23 22.7 2/27/97 4 14-29 21 NA 2/25/97 11 13-32 21 NA 2/23/97 0 13-32 21.5 NA 2/20/97 2 15-28 19 NA
- Click Here to see a year-end summary sheet from Blue Springs.
"How do you think Ranger Hartley identifies the individual manatees swimming at the hot springs?" Challenge Question #5 asked.
"We predict that Ranger Hartley tries to identify the manatee's tail and if he succeds he gets the tag number which we saw mantees with tags on a picture while on the Internet. Then he checks its name off of the list. If he can't see the tail he will look for different markings on the manatee's body. That is what we think."
Phillipa Carie Hunt,Louise Alice Nelson, Lauren Erin Hartley and Mackenzie Jenet Caldwell
Crested Butte, CO. (shoffman@tomichi.ghs.gunnison.k12.co.us)
USFWS
"I think that there are tags on the manatees and each tag is different. Some manatees have scars on them from boats so that helps. Also, Ranger Hartley has seen them so often that he can tell the difference between each manatee," said Krista Embick of Ms. Heilman's 7th grade. (E-mail) "I think that there are tags on the manatees and each tag is different. Some manatees have scars on them from boats so that helps. Also, Ranger Hartley has seen them so often that he can tell the difference between each manatee," said Krista Embick of Ms. Heilman's 7th grade. (E-mail)
As manatee expert Nancy Sadusky explained, "Sadly enough, most adult manatees living in the wild bear scars from at least one watercraft collision. In fact, manatee scars are so commonplace, researchers use them as a method of individual identification." Ranger Wayne's identification sheets shows where each of the individual 196 manatees that visit Blue Springs has scars. This is how he can tell them apart.
- Click Here to see Ranger Harley's identification chart.
We interviewed Anne Spellman, marine biologist with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Endangered and Threatened Species (EATS) Program. It's Anne's job to rescue manatees when they've been hit by boats or injured in other ways. She has been involved in 40 rescues in the past 4 years! In addition to her manatee rescues, Anne also coordinates and participates in dolphin and whale rescues. Anne's field report today describes some of the most notable rescues she has encountered.
- Click Here to read marine biologist Anne Spellman's report.
How to Respond to Journey North Manatee Challenge Question # 7
- Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-manatee@learner.org
- In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 7
- In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:
Challenge Question # 7
"As of March 13th, how many miles is north is "March" from her location on January 6th (28.498 N, 80.736 W)?"
Don't Forget!
Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.
The Next Manatee Update Will be Posted on April 2, 1997.