The Drift Bracelet

“Tracking information is used to determine how manatees react to the modification or loss of warm water habitats, the status and importance of foraging habitats, how and where manatees migrate in the warmer months, and whether manatees return to the same locations year after year. In other words, whether they have site fidelity.”

To learn more, visit our partner directly at mission.cmaquarium.org.

“The tagging assembly consists of a belt, a tether, and a tag. The belt fits around the peduncle area of the manatee, just above the tail, and is designed to fall off after a period of time.

“The floating tag contains three essential components: a GPS unit, a satellite transmitter, and a VHF transmitter. The GPS unit functions similarly to GPS units found in car navigation systems or your cell phone, accurately determining the location of the tag. The satellite-linked UHF transmitter, technically referred to as a platform transmitter terminal or PTT, sends these GPS locations—along with data on tag activity, temperature, and diving behavior—to orbiting satellites through various satellite systems.”

To learn more, visit our partner directly at mission.cmaquarium.org.

“The tracking equipment does not interfere with a manatee’s natural behavior or movement. It is designed to break free at multiple locations should it become entangled.”

To learn more, visit our partner directly at mission.cmaquarium.org.

“Globally, all three species of manatees are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The Florida manatees are listed as endangered by IUCN and have been classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1967.“Florida manatees are protected by both the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act in the United States, and are the state marine mammal of Florida.”

Boat strikes

Manatees live in coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers—which happen to be where there is a lot of boat traffic. They also feed on seagrasses that grow in sunny, shallow waters, meaning they spend a lot of time close to the surface, putting them more at risk for boat strikes. Collisions with boats remain the leading cause of human-related death for manatees; studies show 96% of Florida manatees have propeller scars.

Entanglement

Manatees may become entangled in fishing gear, such as discarded monofilament line or crab traps, or other marine debris. On average, over 25% of manatee rescues are related to entanglement in, or ingestion of fishing gear or marine debris. Entanglement often leads to amputation of manatee flippers.

Water Quality: Runoff, nutrients, pesticides, pollutants

Water pollution greatly reduces seagrasses that manatees eat. In addition, high levels of nitrogen pollution fuel harmful algae blooms, such as red tide. These algae blooms are toxic and destructive to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine life by blocking out the sunlight needed to grow and thrive.

To learn more, visit our partner directly at mission.cmaquarium.org.

Manatees are large aquatic mammals that would definitely win a potato look-alike contest. They have two front flippers to help them steer through the water, and a flat, paddle-shaped tail to get them moving. Centuries ago, pirates would confuse manatees (and their cousins, the dugongs) for mermaids!

On average, adult manatees tip the scales at around 1,000 lb (454 kg), though they can sometimes surpass 3,500 lb (1588 kg).

About 20 minutes while resting; if they’re (slowly) on the go, manatees will surface every 5 minutes or so.

In the wild, a manatee’s lifespan is around 50–60 years.

A calf! What else would you call a baby sea cow?