Stormy: A Success Story

Stormy is prepared for release at Blue Spring in February 2003.

By Nancy Sadusky, Save the Manatee Club Communications & Outreach Director

Compared to wild manatees, Stormy started life with a handicap. He was born in 1985 at Miami Seaquarium and has lived 18 years of his life in captivity.

Stormy was born at a time when male and female manatees were allowed to reproduce in captivity. In 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specified that male and female manatees were to be kept separate, so that rehabilitation facilities would have enough space to treat injured manatees.

The Service also changed their policy because of problems associated with releasing captive-born animals. Manatee calves learn much of what they know about surviving in the wild from their mothers – such as where to find food or how to locate warm water refuges in the winter. Since Stormy and his mother were in captivity at the time of his birth, he didn’t have anyone to show him the ropes.

However, it was also important to release Stormy into the wild so he would have an opportunity to reproduce. Manatee researchers decided to give him a chance, but he would have to be watched closely. Stormy was an important test case. Would he make it on his own?

A Second Chance

Stormy’s first chance at life on the outside came in the winter of 2002. He was released at Blue Spring State Park, near Orange City, Florida, but he had trouble adapting. Eventually, he lost too much weight and had to be recaptured. Stormy was given a second chance in 2003, and this time researchers decided to wait until February for the release date.

In order to help researchers determine his location, Stormy was fitted with a satellite tracking device, or "tag.” At the end of March, he was tracked and captured for his first health assessment. Stormy was located in the St. Johns River, about 10 miles north of Blue Spring. Monica Ross, a biologist from Wildife Trust who is tracking him, noted that Stormy was moving away or submerging when he sensed that boats were near. He was also observed hanging out with Pine, a female manatee also released in February. Although he had lost some weight, the health assessment showed Stormy’s overall body condition was good. These were all indications that Stormy was adapting to life in the wild.

In April, Stormy was captured for his two-month health assessment. He had dropped a little more weight, but Dr. David Murphy from Lowry Park Zoo still determined he was in fair condition. In May, the results of Stormy’s health tests showed he was doing well. “Go Stormy, Go Stormy!” Ross wrote in an e-mail reporting the good news.

Stormy’s venture was not without some tense moments. He lost his tag twice in the dense vegetation of the St. Johns, but Ross was able to locate and capture him to attach new equipment because the belt for the tracking device, which fits around the base of his tail, is also equipped with a VHF transmitter.

In August, Stormy was again captured for a health assessment. Even better news on this assessment: Stormy had gained weight! Later, Ross observed Stormy feeding, socializing and cavorting with other manatees. She also noted he was still practicing boat avoidance and reported that he had expanded his range. In addition, Stormy was spotted back at his old release site in Blue Spring. “As winter approaches,” said Ross, “it will be interesting to see if or when he will use the spring's run.”

Update: Stormy Returns to Blue Spring for the Winter!

On Saturday, November 29, Monica Ross reported that Stormy was sighted near Shell Creek. Around 8:30 a.m. on November 30, he was at the mouth of Blue Spring. "He was not approachable by canoe but was observed socializing periodically with other animals," Ross said via e-mail. "Approximately 40 animals were using the run today. Around 12 noon, the animals started to disperse from the spring and Stormy was among that group to move out into the river."

Stormy passed an important test by coming back to Blue Spring this winter. If you visit Blue Spring, you might be able to spot him. His new tag number is 8092, and it is red with a yellow antenna. You can also “track” Stormy’s progress by going to www.wildtracks.org and click on the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (SMC is an MRP member).

Special thanks to Monica Ross from Wildlife Trust and Dr. David Murphy from Lowry Park Zoo for the information on Stormy that was used in this article.

Learn more about manatee research and manatee tracking by visiting the following Web sites:

Florida Marine Research Institute

U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project

Wildtracks.org