For further information, contact:
Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist
Executive Director, Save the Manatee Club
Phone: (407) 539-0990
Cell: (850) 570-1373

Note: The Miami Seaquarium advises media to arrive by 9:45 a.m. at the park and head through the gate to the right of the main entrance. A press conference, which will include the Miami Seaquarium, Save the Manatee Club, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will begin at loading time. The media is then encouraged to attend the release in Key Largo.

For Immediate Release: April 15, 2008

On Thursday, April 17, a manatee is being released by the Miami Seaquarium, after being rescued and successfully rehabilitated under a program administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that reimburses oceanaria (marine parks) for a significant portion of their manatee rescue and critical care expenses. But like the manatee, this reimbursement program is endangered and may soon be eliminated due to state budget shortfalls.

Injured manatees, such as Sharpie, the manatee who is being released this week, would likely have died from lack of care if Florida goes ahead and passes proposed budget cuts that will impede or do away with the work of the oceanaria in rescuing and treating injured and sick manatees.

The Florida House recently voted to eliminate the funding that reimburses the oceanaria.  Patrick Rose, Executive Director for Save the Manatee Club, explains that without this funding, many, if not most, of the more than 60 manatees rescued on average each year could needlessly suffer and die for lack of appropriate care.

The Florida Senate has voted to continue funding for these programs, and for funding the retention of more than 60 current law enforcement positions, through a proposed increase in vessel registration fees.  But for this money to be available, the House will have to agree. 

“Save the Manatee Club is working hard to save the funding,” said Rose, “as budget cuts would be devastating to the rescue and critical care programs, and ultimately, to the recovery of the statewide manatee population. Florida’s official marine mammal deserves better!” 

Sharpie was a victim of entanglement and a boat strike.  He lost a flipper from the entanglement incident. The Dolphin Research Center and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued him and brought him to Miami Seaquarium.  Sharpie will be transported to the release site, after loading, which will take place at 10 a.m. at Miami Seaquarium Pompano Pools.

The Lowry Park Zoo, another facility that is authorized to rescue and treat sick and injured manatees, would be unable to continue this work if proposed budget cuts are passed. And the University of Florida’s Marine Mammal Veterinary Program will be severely impacted.

Learn more about the issue or contact Patrick Rose for further information.

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