Library: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.