Library:Webinar: Manatee 101 (video)

Webinar: Manatee 101 (video)

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Summary

• Megan Cohorst, Director of Communications and Outreach at Save the Manatee Club, introduces the webinar.
• Gina McLean, Volunteer Specialist at Save the Manatee Club, will present "Manatee 101".
• Webinar format: Gina will lead the presentation using slides, with only Megan and Gina's cameras enabled and attendees muted.
• Attendees encouraged to ask questions via chat throughout the presentation.
• Introduction to Save the Manatee Club's mission: protecting manatees and their habitat.
• Save the Manatee Club's activities include public awareness, education, advocacy, fundraising, research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
• Characteristics of manatees: large aquatic mammals, herbivores, 10 feet long on average, weighing 800-1200 pounds.
• Manatees belong to the class of sirenians, along with dugongs and sea cows.
• Comparison between manatees and elephants: similarities in appearance and behaviors.
• Manatees primarily found in shallow, slow-moving waters with abundant vegetation.
• Manatees cannot tolerate water temperatures below 68°F for long periods.
• Seasonal migration patterns of manatees: wintering in Florida and summering in various locations.
• Manatees have a diverse diet, consuming vegetation found in or near water.
• Some manatees are nomadic travelers, while others prefer to stay in specific habitats year-round.

• Manatees often lift most of their head out of the water to latch onto vegetation.
• They eat whatever is caught in vegetation, including shells, fish, or snails.
• Manatees are important for trimming seagrass and controlling invasive plants.
• They lack blubber and rely on warm water due to their thin layer of fat.
• Manatees have vibrissey hairs on their bodies and faces to sense their underwater environment.
• They breathe every 3-5 minutes, sleep on the bottom of water bodies, and can hold their breath for about 20 minutes.
• Mating herds consist of 9-12 males vying for position under a female in heat.
• Males deposit sperm, and the female may mate multiple times before giving birth.
• Calves nurse from behind the mother's flippers and learn to forage from them.
• Female manatees may adopt orphaned calves and raise them alongside their own.
• Once weaned, calves separate from their mothers, and there's no evidence of recognition.
• Manatees are solitary animals, but can be social in warm water refuges.

• Manatees prefer warm water in winter for conserving energy.
• There are no family units among manatees; dads are not involved, and moms prepare their calves for independence.
• Manatees start mating at around age five for females and age seven for males.
• Human threats significantly reduce manatees' lifespan, despite their potential to live up to 60-70 years.
• Legislation and protection acts since the 70s aim to safeguard manatees, emphasizing following water rules.
• Boat collisions, primarily due to speeding, are a major cause of manatee deaths.
• Propeller injuries pose a significant threat, with speed being a crucial factor.
• Responsible boating includes education, adhering to speed limits, and having spotters for manatees.
• Manatees face cold stress when water temperatures drop below 68°F, leading to lethargy and potential death.
• Red tide, a toxic algae, affects manatees neurologically and can lead to drowning.
• Manatees have no natural predators but face threats from human activities such as pollution and entanglement in fishing gear.
• Trash in waterways, including fishing lines and gear, poses a significant threat to manatees, leading to injuries and death.
• Aquatic habitat loss due to pollution and irresponsible landscaping practices further endangers manatees.
• Seagrass depletion, exacerbated by pollution and algal blooms, impacts manatees' food sources and entire ecosystems.
• Efforts are underway to restore seagrass habitats, particularly in areas like the Indian River Lagoon.
• Research on manatees, dating back to the 1950s, helps in identification and understanding of threats.
• Manatee conservation efforts require addressing human-caused threats and restoring ecosystems for long-term survival.

• Research conducted daily during manatee season at Blue Springs State Park, updating a shared database
• Led by FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) to track manatee movements and behaviors
• Database includes information on travel patterns, migratory routes, and habitat usage
• Clear spring water provides visibility for tracking over a thousand manatees wintering in Blue Spring
• Collaborative effort involving USGS, FWC, zoos, aquariums, Save the Manatee Club, and others
• Genealogies of manatees dating back to the 1970s, focusing on female lineage due to unknown paternity
• Save the Manatee Club part of Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)
• MRP involves various organizations in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing healthy manatees
• Factors leading to rescue include injuries from boat strikes, entanglement, illness, or orphaned calves
• Tracking devices fitted on releasable manatees post-rehabilitation to monitor their acclimatization
• Non-releasable manatees serve as ambassadors in aquariums due to severe injuries
• Boating guidelines: wear polarized sunglasses, watch for manatee signs, follow speed zones, never attract manatees to boats
• Avoid ropes hanging from docks or boats to prevent entanglement
• Passive observation recommended when paddling near manatees, refrain from touching or chasing them
• Illegal activities involving manatees include feeding, giving water, touching, chasing, or harassing
• Responsible photography and social media posts encouraged to respect manatees' wild nature
• Public assistance requested in reporting injured, dead, or tagged manatees, or lone calves
• Reporting speeding violations helps enforce boating regulations in manatee habitats
• Free resources available from Save the Manatee Club for boaters and visitors, including educational materials and stickers
• Environmental consciousness emphasized, including proper waste disposal, reducing single-use plastics, and recycling fishing line
• Opportunities for volunteering with Save the Manatee Club to support manatee conservation efforts

• Contact for Reporting Manatee Sightings:
  • Use QR code or visit website.
  • Not for injured or orphaned manatees.
• Volunteer Opportunities:
  • Help with manatee signs placement.
  • Join the volunteer Mana team.
• Social Media Support:
  • Promote good behaviors.
• Stress Relief:
  • Watch live manatee camera feeds.
• Email Action Alerts:
  • Contact policymakers on manatee issues.
• Fertilizer-Free Pledge:
  • Stop fertilizing lawns to protect waterways.
• Septic Tank Awareness:
  • Update older septic tanks to prevent water contamination.
• Grass Clippings Disposal:
  • Avoid putting them in storm drains.
• Adoption Program:
  • Connect with individual manatees through donations.
• Boat Speeding Concerns:
  • Report incidents to authorities.
• Seasonal Impact on Manatee Threats:
  • Data on tourist season impact not available.
• Awareness Efforts:
  • Outreach includes educating tourists and locals alike.

• Speeding on boats: Some voters disregard speed limits, possibly due to indifference rather than being tourists or residents.
• Law enforcement: There's a call for stricter enforcement on water bodies to ensure compliance with speed regulations.
• Impact of power plant closures: Concerns arise about habitat loss for manatees, as power plants provide warm water environments vital for their survival.
• Transitioning manatees: Efforts are underway to transition manatees away from reliance on warm water from power plants to alternative sources.
• Sargassum issue: A massive floating island of sargassum algae poses potential threats to manatees and their habitat, with concerns about its impact on seagrass and the marine ecosystem.
• Rehabilitation centers: There are specialized facilities, such as the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, for rehabilitating and releasing manatees back into the wild.
• Adoption program: Funds from manatee adoptions contribute to supporting all manatees, though some less popular ones may need more attention.
• Conclusion: Appreciation for joining the discussion on manatees, with plans to share the webinar recording and openness to suggestions for future topics.

See also

• Manatee Portal
• Manatee (videos)
• Manatee (news)
• Manatee (reports)
• Manatee (research)