For Immediate Release: November 25, 2003

If you are out on Florida’s waterways, and you see an injured manatee, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), *FWC or #FWC on your cellular phone, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio. You could help save a manatee's life.

The FWCC recently changed their hotline number to 1-888-404-FWCC and many people might not be aware of the new number. Unfortunately, the old number, 1-800-DIAL-FMP directs callers to a non-FWCC organization unrelated to marine resources. “November is Manatee Awareness Month, so this is a good opportunity to let people know about this resource for manatees. We want to make sure people have the correct number,” said Suzanne Tarr, Save the Manatee Club Staff Biologist.

Each year, many manatees are killed or injured by watercraft collisions. They also accidentally ingest fishhooks, litter, or they can become entangled in crab trap or monofilament line. But people may be able to help rescue a manatee by calling the FWCC. Wildlife officials will investigate and, if necessary, coordinate the animal's rescue. Sightings of dead or tagged manatees should also be reported. By doing a necropsy, scientists can sometimes determine the cause of death and better understand the dangers to manatees. Sightings of tagged manatees help provide researchers with information that can be used to protect this endangered species and its habitat.

If the manatee appears injured, please call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) right away. Be prepared to give the exact location of the manatee.

Call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), *FWC or #FWC on your cellular phone, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio:

• If you see a dead manatee.
  
• If you see a manatee with a pink or red wound. This means the wound is fresh.
  
• If the manatee is tilting to one side, unable to submerge, seems to have trouble breathing or is acting strangely.
  
• If you observe a manatee calf by itself with no adults around for an extended period of time. Manatee calves may remain dependent on their mothers for up to two years. If the mother dies before the calf is weaned, there is a strong likelihood the calf will not survive alone.
  
• If you see anyone harassing a manatee in any way.
  
• If you see boaters speeding in a protected area.
  
• If you see a manatee entangled in monofilament, crab-trap lines or other debris. Do not attempt to remove debris by yourself. Debris may be embedded underneath the skin and only a trained veterinarian can adequately assess and repair the damage.
  
• If you see a manatee tagged with a radio or satellite transmitter.
  
  

"If people use the 1-888-404-FWCC number, it's their best opportunity to get help to manatees as soon as possible," said Tarr. "By calling 1-888-404-FWCC, the FWCC staff can be reached 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Using the hotline number cuts down on time that can often mean the difference between life and death for these animals."

Visit http://www.savethemanatee.org/boatertips.htm for manatee protection tips for boaters, swimmers and divers.