Citizen Alert: Be on the Lookout for Manatees
For more information, contact:
Patrick Rose
Aquatic Biologist, Executive Director
Save the Manatee Club
Phone: 407-539-0990
E-mail: prose@savethemanatee.org
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Katie Tripp, Ph.D.
Director of Science & Conservation
Phone: 407-539-0990
E-mail: ktripp@savethemanatee.org
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For Immediate Release: July 23, 2009
A recent northern manatee sighting in the Chesapeake Bay area is a reminder to residents living along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico to watch for manatees and report any sightings to their local wildlife officials. Busy summer boating traffic is a major concern, as collisions with boats pose serious threats to the slow-moving and endangered marine mammals.
“The recent manatee sighting highlights the importance of public involvement in locating wayward manatees and quickly reporting this information to the proper authorities,” said biologist Patrick Rose, Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club.
In the summer months, manatees roam freely around Florida’s rivers and coastal waters. However, a few manatees will sometimes travel outside of the Sunshine State. There have been sightings as far west as Texas and as far north as Massachusetts. While manatees in Florida are protected in many coastal areas by posted speed zones, these “manatee zones” do not exist out of state, so the boating community in coastal areas outside of Florida is reminded to be extra vigilant this summer.
“Slow down if a manatee is spotted and report it at once,” said Rose. “Do not touch or feed it as this could disrupt its natural behavior in the wild.”
Residents of states outside of Florida can report manatee sightings by contacting their local wildlife officials listed at the following site: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/networks.htm.
“Citizens should be prepared to report the number of manatees observed; the physical location of the manatees, with reference to any nearby landmarks; and a general description of the size and behavior of the manatee, said Dr. Katie Tripp, Director of Science and Conservation of Save the Manatee Club. If possible, photos of the manatees, particularly clear photos of any scars or injuries, should be taken as these photos help biologists identify individual manatees.”
Citizens can also contact Save the Manatee Club with questions about unusual sightings by calling 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) or e-mailing education@savethemanatee.org.
Publications requiring background information on manatees or photos can contact Janice Nearing, Director of Public Relations, at jnearing@savethemanatee.org.
To interview one of the Club’s biologists, see their e-mail addresses listed at the top of the press release.
Save the Manatee Club was established in 1981 by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor, Bob Graham, to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations. Today, it is the world’s leading manatee conservation organization. The Club is a membership-based, national nonprofit organization that promotes public awareness and education; sponsors local and international scientific research and rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts; advocates for the conservation of manatees and their essential habitat based on the best available scientific data; and takes legal action when necessary.
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