tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87804060465725699632024-03-14T01:14:58.357-04:00Manatee BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-21553882957255587752012-08-30T14:00:00.001-04:002012-08-30T14:00:47.946-04:00Manatee Educational Outreach <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTMdyVnwrMFadWCOgG9YVk-JRW44Vn4WJ1GwC-yy8CGbrJ4JHRBUG0KtNLsdPZSi1YpwnAZO-NvmIiTjAByC8oXPr3jrenVH2oiei3OC6rHsxU2oksi4SbvzvTtzVJ3NeCXAwh_5wgPpX/s1600/Image10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTMdyVnwrMFadWCOgG9YVk-JRW44Vn4WJ1GwC-yy8CGbrJ4JHRBUG0KtNLsdPZSi1YpwnAZO-NvmIiTjAByC8oXPr3jrenVH2oiei3OC6rHsxU2oksi4SbvzvTtzVJ3NeCXAwh_5wgPpX/s1600/Image10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Juvenile male of GHC</td></tr>
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As part of BMMRO’s outreach work, in collaboration with Loggerhead
Productions and with funding from the Lyford Cay Foundation, an educational video on manatees in The Bahamas was created highlighting the release of Rita and Georgie and the small population of manatees currently residing in Great Harbour Cay. <br />
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To watch <i>Manatees in The Bahamas</i>, click the link below: <br />
<a href="http://www.conchsaladtv.com/manatees-in-the-bahamas/">http://www.conchsaladtv.com/manatees-in-the-bahamas/</a><br />
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*Manatee updates coming soon! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-31382394992728077122012-05-30T19:20:00.001-04:002012-05-31T21:14:45.867-04:00<br />
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This blog was created to allow the public to follow two manatees, Rita and her calf Georgie, as scientists track them after their release back into the wild. Please return for weekly updates.</div>
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<b>NOTES FROM THE FIELD – WEEK 5 – this will be the final blog post for this project, please keep up to date with the manatees and all marine mammal research in the Bahamas via our website and facebook page.</b><br />
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Website:<u> <a href="http://www.bahamaswhales.org/">www.bahamaswhales.org</a></u></div>
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Facebook Page:<u> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahamas-Marine-Mammal-Research-Organization/136763936342841">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahamas-Marine-Mammal-Research-Organization/136763936342841</a> </u><br />
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<b><u>NEW POST ALERT: Manatee Acoustics</u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">24-May-2012</b></div>
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Scattered thunderstorms prevented Willie and Kendria from heading out to check on Rita and Georgie. Around mid-day, a local fisherman notified Kendria that he saw Rita and Georgie in the T-canal. Kendria was able to ride over there and caught a quick glimpse of the two tagged manatees. Rita and Georgie stayed in Great Harbour Cay harbour for the remainder of the day. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">25-May-2012</b></div>
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Using the H-antenna and receiver, Kendria was able to pick up fairly loud VHF signals from Rita’s tag. She decided to walk around the harbour and track the tagged ladies by foot. The loudest signals received led her to the south end of the T-canal. Once at the southern tip of the canal, Kendria was able to narrow her search for Rita and Georgie to the northern side of the canal where she spotted them.</div>
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At 11:30am, Rita and Georgie were observed traveling towards the entrance of the T-canal but quickly turned around and continued to the northern side of the harbour. They have been observed feeding on the seagrass beds there on numerous occasions, so it was no surprise that they spent the next two hours in this area. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvwdhD5A_WDKqkMCIEbx1T0aUcFFeOCe-FgV20c5nmOD7-sF2_Zkgz6re0YN9pC5c6UNZtVCp4pZl6LRb_5qV2z-x7-7RiAmpzivbEgLbN9atLRdV5KjFtTl7QJxkQp-DtCmpLp7H5-y6/s1600/GHC_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvwdhD5A_WDKqkMCIEbx1T0aUcFFeOCe-FgV20c5nmOD7-sF2_Zkgz6re0YN9pC5c6UNZtVCp4pZl6LRb_5qV2z-x7-7RiAmpzivbEgLbN9atLRdV5KjFtTl7QJxkQp-DtCmpLp7H5-y6/s400/GHC_map.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A layout of Great Harbour Cay harbour. The Causeway connects Great Harbour Cay to Bullocks Harbour; it is under this bridge that the manatees can gain access to the mangroves on the other side of the harbour. </td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">26-May-2012</b></div>
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Early morning Argos satellite locations showed that Rita and Georgie began a journey north towards Lignum Vitae Cay. The route they took this time was very different than before! They travelled under the Great Harbour Cay harbor causeway and through the mangroves up to Lignum Vitae. </div>
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By 10 am, the tagged ladies had traveled along the eastern side of Great Harbour Cay towards Hawksnest Cay continuing south to Holmes Cay and Hoffman Cay. They remained in this area for the rest of the day! </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">27-May-2012</b></div>
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An Argos satellite location received at 4:54am indicated that Rita and Georgie were still at Hoffman Cay, South Berry Islands. This was the second time that they traveled this far south. South Berry Islands are connected by a shallow bank with extensive seagrass coverage with very little to no boat traffic on a daily basis; it is a suitable area for manatees to travel and hang out. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">28-May-2012</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4x8AYhur0anhQgFbWP_U-qlpoJQJ_ExSo_E7QIpIdKMRt-XVXjI5OajVUKIVdAU9OnjtwJNIAIjBxPF1ZXBylqvTicpBqKvVJw389V8UgQwnqoiJNxGlTenhi864lUMg1L8NdRJY0cyG/s1600/JJ_admale.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4x8AYhur0anhQgFbWP_U-qlpoJQJ_ExSo_E7QIpIdKMRt-XVXjI5OajVUKIVdAU9OnjtwJNIAIjBxPF1ZXBylqvTicpBqKvVJw389V8UgQwnqoiJNxGlTenhi864lUMg1L8NdRJY0cyG/s320/JJ_admale.png" width="320" /></a> As a goodbye gift, I (Kendria) got to see Gina and her calf, JJ and the adult male today in the marina. All three manatees appear to be in good health and were observed drinking water from the ice machine pipes. Gina looked quite different as she was no longer completely covered in brown algae but JJ was still covered in brown algae. </div>
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Meanwhile, Rita and Georgie took a short trip to Little Harbour Cay and back up to Hoffmans Cay by 10am. Traveling along the east side of Amber Cay, Rita and Georgie made their way back north along the east side of Great Harbour Cay. By 3pm, they had traveled approximately 30km (16nmi) north to Lignum Vitae Cay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB2TXcqnH9mFpotxJbT08yDC-0vYXKIo6NwIAMQajerAzv2HfMQZGTvmHtRlp4Fd_1NpcIA_f8-TQ5U3YjYJ5UR42cGgwaq2H9c85BGmbJ1DY0D8OdIdu4Kq676lP8iMlmNsvRXnFOGXR/s1600/admale.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB2TXcqnH9mFpotxJbT08yDC-0vYXKIo6NwIAMQajerAzv2HfMQZGTvmHtRlp4Fd_1NpcIA_f8-TQ5U3YjYJ5UR42cGgwaq2H9c85BGmbJ1DY0D8OdIdu4Kq676lP8iMlmNsvRXnFOGXR/s320/admale.png" width="303" /></a><b>BMMRO would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their support and assistance. This wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s cooperation!</b></div>
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Jim Reid (USGS-Sirenia Project)</div>
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The Department of Marine Resources</div>
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The staff of Atlantis Dolphin Cay and the Water Features Department<br />
Save the Manatee Club</div>
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Olivia Patterson (Friends of the Environment)</div>
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Matt McCoy (Loggerhead Productions)</div>
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Kelly Mellio-Sweeting (Dolphin Communication Project)</div>
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Beth and Tim Cook</div>
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Frenchie and Tom</div>
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Joe (Great Harbour Cay Marina Office)</div>
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David Wineberg</div>
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The Kalis Family</div>
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Jimmy, Percy and Chester Darville</div>
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R.N. Gomez All Age School</div>
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Lana and Jeff Foreman</div>
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Desiree Messier<br />
Willie Bonner & Bruce <br />
Franny Cable of Colorado</div>
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To our friends from Hope Town and Spanish Wells thank you for your donations and endless support </div>
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<b>And last be surely not least…the people of Great Harbour Cay,</b></div>
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<b>thank you for having so much pride and love for these amazing mammals! </b></div>
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A plot of the locations of Rita and Georgie via Argos satellite shows their sixth weeks' movement around Great Harbour Cay; arrows indicate direction of travel from Great Harbour Cay harbour to Little Harbour Cay in South Berry Islands and back to Lignum Vitae Cay, North Berry Islands. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-46548092962768156102012-05-30T18:22:00.001-04:002012-05-31T21:15:29.563-04:00Manatee Acoustics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Marine mammals such as dolphins and whales use sound to communicate, locate prey, navigate, and avoid predators. Today, a lot more is known about the types of sounds these mammals use in order to communicate with each other. </div>
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<i>But how do manatees communicate? </i></div>
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<i>What are their different vocalization patterns?</i> </div>
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Although they are also marine mammals, manatees socialize and communicate very differently from other marine mammals. Along with dugongs they are the only herbivorous marine mammals in the world and the closest relatives to the largest land mammals, elephants. Often described as semi-social, very little is known about their acoustic behavior and whether they use sound as a form of communication. </div>
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To help us understand how these agile species use sound, we placed a DSG (digital spectrogram) acoustic recorder in Great Harbour Cay marina. The acoustic recorder was programmed to record the low frequency sounds produced by manatees, which are often described as chirps, whistles, or squeaks. Scientists have been able to link some of their sounds to represent signs of aggression or fear (Listen to Manatee Sounds). Mother and calf pairs are known to share the most vocalizations patterns although an increase in vocalization patterns have also been heard between different age classes during socializing behaviors such as rolling, pushing or embracing (MANATI). </div>
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Much like how dolphins can be identified from their signature whistles, scientists will be looking at identifying individual manatees from the sounds they produce. In February 2012, while Rita and Georgie were at Dolphin Cay-Atlantis we recorded their vocalizations to compare those vocalization patterns to those recorded of them in the wild. </div>
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Below are the acoustic profiles for three types of sounds detected, while recording Rita and Georgie on May 1st, 2012. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound Category: Creak </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjl6BgdUzOkPqLgc-dj55BSBJV3jRxIDWdx5k7k-pGB61Hj3df-ZnmSLFnXdQaHXG-1Sul51xgJ1R6pVdNmBnOIFP5l1QTLSKnlRZJJz1SIZelAvKWbdC0O2-RLzExQzbbxXEWlZnV3xN/s1600/120501_110_mono6+%25282%2529_scream.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjl6BgdUzOkPqLgc-dj55BSBJV3jRxIDWdx5k7k-pGB61Hj3df-ZnmSLFnXdQaHXG-1Sul51xgJ1R6pVdNmBnOIFP5l1QTLSKnlRZJJz1SIZelAvKWbdC0O2-RLzExQzbbxXEWlZnV3xN/s640/120501_110_mono6+%25282%2529_scream.tiff" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound Category: Scream</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound Category: Whistle</td></tr>
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<h1>
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Works Cited</span></h1>
<div class="MsoBibliography">
MANATI, S. D. (n.d.). <i>Animal Bioacoustics </i>. Retrieved May 23, 2012, from Caribe Bioacoustics and Noise (CABN): <a href="http://www.cbanpr.com/manatee.html">http://www.cbanpr.com/manatee.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography">
<i> Listen to Manatee Sounds</i>. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2012, from Save the Manatee Club: http://www.savethemanatee.org/audio.htm</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Resources:</b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/id.758,y.0,no.,content.true,page.2,css.print/issue.aspx"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Manatees, Bioacoustics and Boats:</span></a> </b>Hearing tests, environmental measurements and acoustic phenomena may together explain why boats and animals collide</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-27958877994703675912012-05-23T20:48:00.000-04:002012-05-23T20:55:51.500-04:00A quiet week for Rita and Georgie!<br />
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This blog was created to allow
the public to follow two manatees, Rita and her calf Georgie, as scientists
track them after their release back into the wild. Please return for weekly
updates.</div>
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<u>NOTES FROM THE FIELD – WEEK
5:</u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">17-May-2012</b></div>
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Scattered thunderstorms
prevented Willie, Beth and Kendria from going out early to check on Rita and
Georgie but finally by 4pm, the rain had held up just enough to search for the
tagged manatees. After traveling for over 70 miles around Great Harbour Cay to
the south and back, they had safely returned to Bullock’s Harbour. We found
them with the adult and juvenile male and observed them feeding on seagrass
beds. Georgie remained very close to her mother, Rita, as they were feeding and
socializing with the other manatees. </div>
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We are able to track the
manatees using two methods: signals received using a VHF radio receiver and
through locations derived from satellites passing overhead. These can be
downloaded from Argos’ website throughout the day and, unlike the radio
receiver isn’t dependent on us being within receiver range of the animals which
isn’t always possible because of bad weather conditions. If the animals are not
within radio range, using a combination of both methods can be best; first
check the Argos location, then travel to the general area and use the VHF
receiver to actually find them.</div>
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Argos categorizes satellite
locations received from their tags by ‘quality code.’ These codes are
essentially a measure of location (latitude and longitude) accuracy. Accuracy
is affected by how much of the tag’s transmitter is above the water’s surface
as a satellite passes overhead and also how many satellites passing overhead
picked up the same transmission. Accuracy can range from 100 meters to tens of kilometers
so close attention must be paid to the quality code (Deutsch et al. 2003). </div>
<h1>
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;">Works Cited</span></h1>
<div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deutsch, C. J., Reid,
J. P., Bonde, R. K., Easton, D. E., Kochman, H. I., & and O'Shea, T. J.
(2003). Seasonal Movements, Migratory Behavior, and Site Fidelity of West
Indian Manatees Along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. <i>The Journal
of Wildlife Management: Wildlife Monographs 151</i> , 1-77.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">18-May-2012 </b></div>
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Early morning Argos satellite
locations and strong VHF radio signals indicated that Rita and Georgie were
still in Great Harbour Cay harbour. </div>
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Frenchie, Willie and Kendria
decided to search for the manatees by foot. Strong VHF radio signals lead them
to the entrance of the marina. Using our binoculars, we found both tagged
animals in an area just outside of the marina. Manatees are occasionally seen
congregating here to feed and rest. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NF-Kv0X1o7Oh3ZGb6QXD_mz7ugNcyCLlJz7y-JikDH5mx76UIsmRF3UhSBVXWNj0v-QnD98eKHMuSqlZFdH0RTrTl2dSSN-xKjni7dNpReeCSV2r6BmvJwhjD8jF5SeejZBzTE1tr33-/s1600/IMG00141-20120505-1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NF-Kv0X1o7Oh3ZGb6QXD_mz7ugNcyCLlJz7y-JikDH5mx76UIsmRF3UhSBVXWNj0v-QnD98eKHMuSqlZFdH0RTrTl2dSSN-xKjni7dNpReeCSV2r6BmvJwhjD8jF5SeejZBzTE1tr33-/s1600/IMG00141-20120505-1222.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rita and Georgie</td></tr>
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Unlike other marine mammals,
manatees don’t form social groups. They are often described as semi-social
animals that are known to congregate in areas where they can share common
resources such as food, water, shelter, and/or warmth. Although manatees may
travel together, these groups are only temporary and associations don’t depend
on sex or age class. The most basic social unit exists between mother and calf.
There are two female mother-calf pairs here in the Berry Islands, Rita and
Georgie and Gina and JJ.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ0qzV7Q_WSTw1fLXJJCeNjQxuA0349FcT5KhLZ7S6n1zl6JPsSA9VdrNVlJk5ntU_mbetSfJ_yEk4Hah_oVsd8xPDz_xN1RLxHDzIXsP49s9BgvNGcbwFDp_Y_og1boIGgU0hsWEHMyy/s1600/Gina_JJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ0qzV7Q_WSTw1fLXJJCeNjQxuA0349FcT5KhLZ7S6n1zl6JPsSA9VdrNVlJk5ntU_mbetSfJ_yEk4Hah_oVsd8xPDz_xN1RLxHDzIXsP49s9BgvNGcbwFDp_Y_og1boIGgU0hsWEHMyy/s320/Gina_JJ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gina and JJ </td></tr>
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Resource:</div>
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<a href="http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/manatee/behavior.htm">Sea World: Manatee Behaviour</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">19-May-2012</b></div>
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Using the H-antennae and the VHF
receiver, Kendria checked to see if she was able to pick up VHF signals from Rita’s
tag in the marina. On open water, VHF signals can be heard within a 9 miles
(15km) radius. When tracking from land we have to consider landmasses obstructing
the signal. </div>
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We weren’t able to pick up a
tag signal from neither Rita nor Georgie from the marina. Willie and Kendria
then headed out to search for them in the harbour. We were able to pick up a
signal close to the causeway that connects Great Harbour Cay to Bullocks
Harbour and separates the harbour from mangroves. Although a tight space, the resident
manatees from Great Harbour are known to swim under the causeway and spend time
resting in the mangroves on the other side. It seems Rita and Georgie have now learned
to use this area as well.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">20-May-2012</b></div>
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Penny, <a href="http://bmmro.blogspot.com/2012/05/around-great-harbour-cay-in-5-days.html#more">Frenchie’s</a>
dog, spent a few days</div>
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assisting us in our tracking efforts. </div>
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Pulse signals emitted from
their VHF tags indicated that Rita and Georgie were nearby and possibly in the
marina. Kendria and Penny<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><a class="msocomanchor" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8780406046572569963#_msocom_1" id="_anchor_1" name="_msoanchor_1"></a> </span></span> went to search for the tagged manatees by
foot. </div>
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There are a few areas that the
manatees are known to visit once they’re in the marina area. </div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Marina Office</b>: The marina office has an ice machine
that leaks fresh water. Although an artificial source, the manatees do
enjoy this reliable water source. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The rocks lining the north side of the marina</b>: An important feeding area, the
manatees are known to spend hours moving along the rocks feeding on moss
and algae. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Mangroves:</b> There are two mangrove systems located
in the marina. One is at the elbow of the marina and the other is at the
eastern end of the marina. These areas provide a safe place to rest and
may also serve as a source for freshwater. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The ‘T-Canal’:</b> <a href="http://bmmro.blogspot.com/2012/05/around-great-harbour-cay-in-5-days.html#more">This
area was highlighted in week 4 field notes</a><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><a class="msocomanchor" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8780406046572569963#_msocom_2" id="_anchor_2" name="_msoanchor_2"></a> </span></span>. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Under the Townhouses</b>: The townhouses lining the north side
of the marina provide both shelter and water to the manatees. The manatees
can be seen traveling under the townhouses to get in and out of the marina
and also getting water from leaking pipes from the reverse osmosis systems
under each townhouse. Of particular interest is under a local fisherman’s,
Al’s, dock; the manatees can be found regularly under this dock feeding
and resting. Visually, there is nothing special about this area compared
to other areas in the marina but the manatees certainly enjoy this spot in
particular. </li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rita feeding on algae. </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today shortly after 10am, Rita
and Georgie were found at Al’s dock feeding on algae on the pilings. Visitors
stated that they saw the two tagged manatees there since the early morning
hours. Although they were in the same vicinity, Rita and Georgie spent most of
the time feeding separately. Georgie was observed nursing and getting water
from a leaking pipe. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As a treat, two nurse sharks
were also seen in the area! Yikes!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgie created a huge sediment bloom while she was feeding on the sea floor. She then moved to a nearby piling to indulge in some delicious algae! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">21-May-2012</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rita and Georgie continue to
travel in and out of the marina and spend time feeding in the harbour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On average manatees can
consume 10-15% of their body weight in food in one day! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
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Manatee
ID</div>
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Body
Weight* (lbs)</div>
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Estimated
food intake (lbs)</div>
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Rita</div>
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1042</div>
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937.8
- 885.7</div>
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Georgie</div>
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388</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
349.2
- 329.8</div>
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<div class="MsoCaption">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">*Body
weights were taken during a health assessment conducted on 06-March-12 by
Dolphin Cay-Atlantis staff while still in captivity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Resources:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/fact_sheet.pdf"> Save the Manatee Club</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">22-May-2012</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rita and Georgie were first
sighted by tourists docked in the marina. They spent the morning feeding on
algae lining the pilings and resting in various dock slips. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB7cNTOd6lzQ59NS4BvUKyiDQVGRxB4GKiPjEEDpiOqmC4gwwDbVRF5TTWVgJX6Lvh5JMHJSctHvpIv45Stuy8LkOoMizsgHInI2LAWGngvmOeHGM85AmhmT6lhvJB7ph8tW-eXK1CnG4/s1600/IMG00176-20120520-1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB7cNTOd6lzQ59NS4BvUKyiDQVGRxB4GKiPjEEDpiOqmC4gwwDbVRF5TTWVgJX6Lvh5JMHJSctHvpIv45Stuy8LkOoMizsgHInI2LAWGngvmOeHGM85AmhmT6lhvJB7ph8tW-eXK1CnG4/s1600/IMG00176-20120520-1046.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYM3YLWOjQxUG8JL4XHys2MsD-XXOPtj3nFLNF-bnOWsskbUiqFKT-PgiZI58mE1ER1RjHu6ZKcx5PGosVH_TO60N6leHQevemPN8-E1KLS_P9Mj9FmX_Va6io7ggj3z5N-0nwt_KbZxi/s1600/IMG00183-20120520-1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYM3YLWOjQxUG8JL4XHys2MsD-XXOPtj3nFLNF-bnOWsskbUiqFKT-PgiZI58mE1ER1RjHu6ZKcx5PGosVH_TO60N6leHQevemPN8-E1KLS_P9Mj9FmX_Va6io7ggj3z5N-0nwt_KbZxi/s1600/IMG00183-20120520-1117.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Top photo:</b> Rita resting in the marina. <b>Bottom photo: </b>Rita traveling under the docks to feed on the pilings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">23-May-2012</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPaYOuGDDXnPiiv111SgkdQY52Ts448toJ4YeOJH3mwW_AfPgfNo16Q9sWVzUcftv9Z-WkyOm3jDh7e5mQVE1_2FrlAKrPRaq36P40IA06YsF1PkLISFKPE-R9ZWVqu8YVuiE64cIH8FI/s1600/IMG00199-20120523-1719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPaYOuGDDXnPiiv111SgkdQY52Ts448toJ4YeOJH3mwW_AfPgfNo16Q9sWVzUcftv9Z-WkyOm3jDh7e5mQVE1_2FrlAKrPRaq36P40IA06YsF1PkLISFKPE-R9ZWVqu8YVuiE64cIH8FI/s320/IMG00199-20120523-1719.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attenuator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Using the H-antennae and
receiver, Kendria was able to pick up loud VHF signals from Rita’s tag. Attenuating
at 100dB, the loud signals meant that the tagged manatees were either just
under Kendria or Rita’s tag was no longer attached to her belt. An attenuator
is used to decrease the power of the tag signal received and narrow down on
a direction in which the tag is located. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At 1:27 pm,
Kendria received a call from that marina office saying that Rita was sighted
but without a tag. Kendria quickly went over to check on her and Georgie. Both
animals seemed to be in good health with no visible wounds on them. Both Rita
and Georgie’s tag have a weak link that will automatically break if the tags
get caught or tangled. Within the next half hour, Willie and Kendria attached a
temporary tag on Rita’s belt. We later found her original tag in the marina and
attached it back to her belt safely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The tagged
manatees remained in the marina until 5pm and were last seen swimming under the
dock towards the harbour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTtsgdSH85AIAeQvy_vOhTGX_M6emib9XOZXIQTeCbi3qdYmiscGlrB-7Q0TROf1lNPJoty4wIzQSmqvoixKuBgKjW3-cqDt0yTYL5Tqh9iVpEg4FpaZ2UpazSIw813xnZF7Nq4dpAo24/s1600/Map-2012-05-24-00-36-034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTtsgdSH85AIAeQvy_vOhTGX_M6emib9XOZXIQTeCbi3qdYmiscGlrB-7Q0TROf1lNPJoty4wIzQSmqvoixKuBgKjW3-cqDt0yTYL5Tqh9iVpEg4FpaZ2UpazSIw813xnZF7Nq4dpAo24/s640/Map-2012-05-24-00-36-034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A plot of the locations of Rita and Georgie via Argos
satellite shows their fifth weeks' movement around Great Harbour Cay; arrows
indicate direction of travel from Great Harbour Cay harbour to Lignum Vitae
Cay. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-64958606746563034712012-05-17T23:17:00.000-04:002012-05-17T23:17:17.164-04:00Around Great Harbour Cay in 5 days!<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This blog was created to allow the public to follow two
manatees, Rita and her calf Georgie, as scientists track them after their
release back into the wild. Please return for weekly updates.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">NOTES
FROM THE FIELD – WEEK 4:</span></u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">10-May-2012</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A rainy
morning prevented Kelly Melillo (Dolphin Communication Project) and Kendria Ferguson
(BMMRO) from heading out on the boat to search for Rita and Georgie, but Argos
satellite locations indicated that they were recently in the harbour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the
late afternoon, we received a call from Al (a local fisherman) saying that
manatees were under his dock just a few houses down. Manatees are frequently
seen here when they are in the marina. Gina and her calf, JJ has been observed
resting and feeding under this dock on numerous occasions. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We have
the use of an extra GPS tag from <a href="http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/manatees.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">USGS</span></a> to deploy on another manatee
should the opportunity arise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having
data from one of the resident manatees would enable us to compare with Rita’s
evolving habitat use patterns.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6pRAKbJi0egx7dPlKz1HIsJni1Uhz8dr3rKYq0qk7r3A-gjEmb6sVfb0GASdHgGS2_tf3pWmpegTNReuHLdyZCIXPiVdUYEehp6TDJD3-qGJaACTzT7G5_5cHY8dNISvMUMipiiLMLJ5/s1600/Tm_adultmale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6pRAKbJi0egx7dPlKz1HIsJni1Uhz8dr3rKYq0qk7r3A-gjEmb6sVfb0GASdHgGS2_tf3pWmpegTNReuHLdyZCIXPiVdUYEehp6TDJD3-qGJaACTzT7G5_5cHY8dNISvMUMipiiLMLJ5/s320/Tm_adultmale.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A prime
candidate for tagging is the adult male (pictured left), who we assume by his faint scar
patterns to be the original male first sighted with Gina in 2000. Tagging him
would be particularly interesting because he is not seen as often as the other
manatees. We think he may be the manatee that fishermen sometimes report in
Andros, and tagging would help document those movements.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> A pattern described by
the local community is that he breeds with Gina, disappears for a few months
and returns just in time for the birth of her calf. Tagging will allow us to
get a better understanding of his travel patterns and areas he visits when he
is not seen with the other manatees. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf26wqcKK941UM7x6xCbVAVgG8E4K5kaaGkEqWN6ZbDbB215yLbDEqijA55vglL_JkrSdm57a0p2VmYVL7bPa68QdlHN5q2TtM9TxZX89zlx5e9qE4NKEmI3BahSW98VGFIhvgpjIVU97/s1600/Tm_Gina&JJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf26wqcKK941UM7x6xCbVAVgG8E4K5kaaGkEqWN6ZbDbB215yLbDEqijA55vglL_JkrSdm57a0p2VmYVL7bPa68QdlHN5q2TtM9TxZX89zlx5e9qE4NKEmI3BahSW98VGFIhvgpjIVU97/s200/Tm_Gina&JJ.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gina and her calf, JJ covered in brown algae.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
is also a visible difference in skin color between the two males and Gina and her
small calf JJ. Gina and JJ are covered in brown algae whereas both males are
fairly clean with minimal algae growth. Notably, the males are often seen with
remoras attached to them, which are known to reduce the amount of algae on the
manatees they attach to. In Florida, the non-native suckermouth armored catfish
are often seen attached to manatees and feeding on algae that grow on top of
their skin</span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><a class="msocomanchor" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8780406046572569963#_msocom_1" id="_anchor_1" name="_msoanchor_1"></a><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"> (Nico et al., 2009 ).</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUzg8F2-ozPs5Zjzy0ZCEFBeWHHa9Nltm6ca6V73sBUecnWB93CZoUZEtj5aMeH-L-wwUVJBr71LSni_flPQyH_UwLM7HQLD3EUwCKa19u_Eut6zXMVwAOxhTs-7fECyDPLy2QPlG4PMB/s1600/Kellypics_males.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUzg8F2-ozPs5Zjzy0ZCEFBeWHHa9Nltm6ca6V73sBUecnWB93CZoUZEtj5aMeH-L-wwUVJBr71LSni_flPQyH_UwLM7HQLD3EUwCKa19u_Eut6zXMVwAOxhTs-7fECyDPLy2QPlG4PMB/s320/Kellypics_males.png" width="136" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Although these observations are speculations
and require further attention, they do bring up questions of interest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do remoras
always associate only with particular manatees? </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Where are Gina and JJ spending
most of their time when they are not seen in the marina and is this resulting
in more algal growth? </span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 2;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unfortunately, Kelly and Kendria were unable
to tag the adult male. He remained elusive whiles we were in the water with him
and the juvenile male. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Works Cited</span></span><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 2;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>Leo G. Nico, W. F. (2009 ). Interactions between
non-native armored suckermouth catfish (Loricariidae:. <i>Aquatic Invasions</i>
, 511-519.</span></span></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 2;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-comment-continuation: 2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">11-May-2012</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Early
morning Argos satellite locations and strong VHF radio signals indicated that
Rita and Georgie were still in Great Harbour Cay harbour. We spent the early
morning getting extra work done before heading out to search for the tagged
ladies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shortly
after 1pm we jumped aboard our boat and put on our manatee searching hats!
After a 2 minute boat ride, we tracked our two tagged ladies just under a
townhouse dock, with the two males. We quickly turned back around and tied our
boat back up. With the challenge of tagging the adult male, we quietly entered
the water and began to swim towards the manatees. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sadly,
we were unable to get a tag on the adult male but were happy to see Rita and
Georgie socializing with the two male manatees. Both males have often been seen
with Rita, suggesting mating may be in the near future. Along with Great
Harbour Cay being a suitable habitat for manatees, one of the reasons Rita and
Georgie were released here was to also add to the genetic diversity of the
resident manatee population. A calf is typically with the mom for two years
after birth. During this time they are taught where to locate food, shelter,
warmth. After these two years, the mother is then ready to mate, and after 12
to 13 months within a year may have a next calf. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
four manatees remained in the marina for the rest of the evening and were last
seen shortly after 6pm. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
Map of Great Harbour
Cay Harbour, indicating the Harbour entrance, the ‘T-canal’, and the marina.
The red circles indicate known feeding areas often visited by Rita and Georgie.
The other resident manatees have also been observed feeding in these areas.
Habitat used for resting is indicated by the blue triangles. Of particular
interest is the ‘t-canal.’ The southern end of this canal is often quiet and
has little to no boat traffic on a daily basis. This has become a very
important resting area for the manatees.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">12-May-2012</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-no-proof: yes;">The tracking team woke up to reports of manatees being
seen under a town house dock in the marina. A quick swing of the ‘H-antenna’ on
our VHF field tracking receiver told us that Rita and Georgie were very close
to the marina and possibly just in the harbour. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG1oy-SlVANfZpYpooP_utGZNVKaZdRz__muwVdhI0ivxMdE2MB0AHjhSavs3ynERHRxge7WFelIJwxeBmhu2f3MQB0Bo8EUsmdIjIHxd_AeXONyheUTXjdEPSn2V2wrK-Ov1AgLgoEoR/s1600/frenchie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG1oy-SlVANfZpYpooP_utGZNVKaZdRz__muwVdhI0ivxMdE2MB0AHjhSavs3ynERHRxge7WFelIJwxeBmhu2f3MQB0Bo8EUsmdIjIHxd_AeXONyheUTXjdEPSn2V2wrK-Ov1AgLgoEoR/s200/frenchie.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Shortly after noon, Kelly
noticed the adult male swimming past the townhouses towards the eastern end of
the marina leaving a trail of tail prints on the water surface. Not too long
after, he swam slowly under the tracking team dock towards the western end of
the marina. Travel routes under the townhouses and the marina dock is not
uncommon amongst the manatees here. They understand that boats frequent the
area and have opted to seek cover when traveling in and out of the marina.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoCaption">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The tracking team was very
intrigued by his quick travel so we headed out to search for him and the tagged
ladies, Rita and Georgie. This was a great chance to invite Frenchie, the
island’s nurse and ‘Jane-of-all-trades’ along with us. Frenchie will be
assisting in montoring Rita and Georgie in the upcoming months.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">We found Rita and Georgie in the ‘T-canal’ of the harbour. Tagging data
obtained from Gina in 2000 showed that she also frequently visited this canal
(see map from 11-May-2012). This area is an important area for feeding, resting
and possibly a freshwater resource. Historically, Berry Islands is known to
have fresh water ponds; one of which was cut into during the construction of
this ‘T-canal.’ </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Initial observation of Rita and Georgie lead us to believe that
they were resting when they were sighted at the southern end of the t-canal.
Manatees can spend up to a couple hours bottom resting, and during this period it
is important not to disturb them. We want to limit any sort of disruption of
natural behavior when observing these animals or any other mammal in the wild.
For that reason, we left them shortly after we found them and went to search for
the adult male. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately,
we were unable to locate the adult male but felt certain that he was still in
the area. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">When
searching for manatees there are a few things that you should look for: </span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A nose breaking
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bubbles! As they
ascending to the water surface they may emit a few bubbles. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Although these three points may help with locating a
manatee in the wild, a tracking tag attached to the animal is a great
advantage! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">13-May-2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pulse signals
emitted from their VHF tags once again indicated that Rita and Georgie were nearby
which provided some downtime for us to get some work done ashore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the
late afternoon, Kelly, Kendria, and Frenchie left the marina to search of Rita
and Georgie. We couldn’t find Rita and Georgie in the harbor and thought that
they may have left the harbor. To re-energize, Frenchie and Kelly took a quick
snorkel in a blue hole, located in the creek just north of Bullock’s Harbour. Very
little is known about this bluehole. On Hoffmans Cay, South Berry Islands there
is a 600-ft inland bluehole often visited by tourists. Water clarity limited
Frenchie and Kelly’s visibility but they enjoyed the brief moment of down time
nevertheless! </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf0TGnEoKRZgU96jRx2XZtvcskE2KK8u-BfnqAW-U3Co0ciLtXWdDIZEvZFjo63GsPHPeqH0V1p-o8zfEsXWbztkO9WwdIWf_k2fE_o-HhK7T9jm0_jjr8IuH1gW0ijMJrZXdMTqV5FYT/s1600/berry_islands_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf0TGnEoKRZgU96jRx2XZtvcskE2KK8u-BfnqAW-U3Co0ciLtXWdDIZEvZFjo63GsPHPeqH0V1p-o8zfEsXWbztkO9WwdIWf_k2fE_o-HhK7T9jm0_jjr8IuH1gW0ijMJrZXdMTqV5FYT/s400/berry_islands_map.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo from: http://www.aircharterbahamas.com/images/berry_islands_map.jpg</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After
this moment of exploration, the tracking team continued their search for Rita
and Georgie. With infrequent signals and less than ideal sea conditions, we
weren’t getting a good sense of directionality from their tag signals but knew that
the tagged manatees were still in the area. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Later
that night, Argos locations showed that Rita and Georgie had begun their
journey up north towards Cistern Cay. This would be their fourth trip up north
since their release on April 19<sup>th</sup>, 2012. Based on previous trips up
north, the tracking team anticipated that they will go to one of three
locations: Lignum Vitae Cay, Coco Cay, or Great Stirrup Cay. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lignum Vitae Cay
is a known feeding area visited by Rita and Georgie during previous trips up
north. Upon inspection, this area has an extensive turtle grass<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thalassia
testudinum</i>) beds. Turtle grass, manatee grass (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Syringodium filiforme</i>) and shoal grass (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Halodule wrightii</i>) are the three seagrass types commonly found in
the Bahamas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But instead
of stopping in at Lignum Vitae Cay, Rita and Georgie continued to the southern
side of Great Stirrup Cay. This area also has lots of seagrass, which may be
another attraction for them to this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a quick trip around the western end of Great Stirrup and along the
northern side of the island, they continued south along the eastern side of
Great Harbour Cay. This trip is familiar to Rita and Georgie as they took a
very similar trip within their first week of release. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">14-May-2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU9Afyo1Jx4Nx8EYAD2BmgbBvhXadGdynzW7WkraGQZGmU3j-EMbOGxduVohTG4J-h4FGm8b30BJdh85A1YXxPs06N1FyzXnLRbHX7e3gpE275Pbnvl1R2UYBseq1U069dvyqOANg6VqN/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU9Afyo1Jx4Nx8EYAD2BmgbBvhXadGdynzW7WkraGQZGmU3j-EMbOGxduVohTG4J-h4FGm8b30BJdh85A1YXxPs06N1FyzXnLRbHX7e3gpE275Pbnvl1R2UYBseq1U069dvyqOANg6VqN/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Early
morning satellite locations showed that Rita and Georgie had continued south along
the eastern side of Great Harbour Cay, pass Petit Cay, and towards the shallow
banks off the western side of Ambergris Cays. By 4:30pm that afternoon, they had
explored the shallow banks off the western side of Amerbergis Cays and headed
southeast to Holmes Cay. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
was a shift in the tracking team today! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Kelly</span></a> began her trip back to Bimini and William Bonner a
college student and BMMRO volunteer returned to Berry Islands to assist
Kendria. William spent some time in the Berry Islands prior to Rita and
Georgie’s release. During this time he recorded sightings of manatees and
assisted in outreach efforts with the local fishermen.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">15-May-2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At
6:30am, Argos locations showed that Rita and Georgie were at Holmes Cay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad weather prevented Kendria and William from
organizing a trip south, instead Rita and Georgie’s movements were monitored
via Argos satellite data. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Locations
received shortly after 2pm showed that Rita and Georgie were off Little Harbour
Cay which is just over 10 nautical miles south of Great Harbour Cay.<span style="color: red;"> </span>This is the first time that Rita and Georgie are
exploring the southern islands of Berry Islands. On a previous visit south,
they quickly turned around near Ambergris Cays and made a 10 mile trip back
north to Great Harbour Cay. Their movements will be monitored closely
throughout the night to see how they navigate in this unfamiliar territory!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">16-May-2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Argos
locations received shortly after 6am showed that Rita and Georgie were still
off of Little Harbour Cay. Throughout the day, they would continue to explore
this area and venture further south towards Bonds Cay. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClkPJApx2ggrP9TG-TuHMABwa8zrS7iepWxG0dOpjd9mx18SmrYzq8K_HkMw6bBUW0mVk1s97IHHNCXiwfSTEt8ChUATw9JuopJuUF4SWy43uATw-w4eqMoHJ8KPjS5LWlixJ1g5sjj9H/s1600/Beth.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClkPJApx2ggrP9TG-TuHMABwa8zrS7iepWxG0dOpjd9mx18SmrYzq8K_HkMw6bBUW0mVk1s97IHHNCXiwfSTEt8ChUATw9JuopJuUF4SWy43uATw-w4eqMoHJ8KPjS5LWlixJ1g5sjj9H/s200/Beth.gif" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The resident manatees of Great
Harbour Cay have been sighted as south as Chub Cay. Although Rita and Georgie
didn’t travel this far, it is refreshing to see them explore other areas frequently
visited by the other manatees. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today,
Willie and Kendria welcomed one of BMMRO’s board members, Beth Cook and her
husband to Great Harbour Cay. Beth is a Bahamian from Nassau who has recently
relocated to Abaco after 30 years in the US raising a family. She has a keen
interest in the marine environment and is excited to become involved in local
conservation. Beth joined BMMRO's board in 2010. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">17-May-2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At
6:19am, Argos locations showed that Rita and Georgie were heading north towards
Ambergris Cays. On a previous trip south, Rita and Georgie took ‘the channel’
cut west of Ambergris Cays and headed back north into the harbour of Great
Harbour Cay. Now within familiar territory, Rita and Georgie continued north pass
Sharks Creek. Initially, they went pass the harbour entrance but they turned
around and headed into the harbour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At 5pm,
Rita and Georgie were observed feeding in the harbour along with both males. It
is still unknown whether the two males traveled with Rita and Georgie around Great
Harbour Cay and towards the southern islands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In five
days, Rita and Georgie had traveled over 70 miles around Great Harbour
Cay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>A very long journey with a very
happy ending!</b></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHfOBj2wr5Wh5ELjT-mAuce5kKwNxM_eGxP_VpcejUUT1NJ4i5L0stTc4BtJ0T74j6BSn0u2hHCnslqxbNk6TmRtV1LvrNibnEzVlu4eh9OaS2PfLlCKi7d9Q0EeT370VMrc6vhYp72Hd/s1600/Map-2012-05-17-22-26-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHfOBj2wr5Wh5ELjT-mAuce5kKwNxM_eGxP_VpcejUUT1NJ4i5L0stTc4BtJ0T74j6BSn0u2hHCnslqxbNk6TmRtV1LvrNibnEzVlu4eh9OaS2PfLlCKi7d9Q0EeT370VMrc6vhYp72Hd/s640/Map-2012-05-17-22-26-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A plot of the locations of Rita and Georgie via Argos
satellite shows their fourth weeks' movement around Great Harbour Cay; arrows
indicate direction of travel from Great Harbour Cay harbour to the southern islands of Berry Islands and back north to Great Harbour Cay harbour. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: comment-list;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-52424134881838843622012-05-10T15:32:00.001-04:002012-05-10T15:41:39.063-04:00Candid Camera!<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">This blog was created to allow the public to follow two
manatees, Rita and her calf Georgie, as scientists track them after their
release back into the wild. Please return for weekly updates. As requested, here are some photos from the Berry Islands Manatee Project. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpKv1UwOo6fy1FnZQw6Je_v30bJpavW3mCjXtDSrwmNZbzCBPJmwmODAQ4Qw3Ys6z0OEZlJkURfFS3XBpMG_5nn2EOLWIR5oy_FDL0wF3S8ico7YXuf6W28fteH_v6govWUDNkpPz5Awd/s1600/GOPR0052-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpKv1UwOo6fy1FnZQw6Je_v30bJpavW3mCjXtDSrwmNZbzCBPJmwmODAQ4Qw3Ys6z0OEZlJkURfFS3XBpMG_5nn2EOLWIR5oy_FDL0wF3S8ico7YXuf6W28fteH_v6govWUDNkpPz5Awd/s400/GOPR0052-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Manatees are very tactile animals as demonstrated in this interaction between Georgie and her mother, Rita.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uwVXpuRPZnU1MH0a56HLI6puSG7F0ulK1QMmvAOwh1v_FJzKakWjzVEfZy958esYJrTkfvI3jupJtNepmPuxUF9SVSTC4Pf87EN16fFmFPKZNCWFjlv6NUrEY_6vTek5NOiZu4XO_Vbf/s1600/GOPR0059-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uwVXpuRPZnU1MH0a56HLI6puSG7F0ulK1QMmvAOwh1v_FJzKakWjzVEfZy958esYJrTkfvI3jupJtNepmPuxUF9SVSTC4Pf87EN16fFmFPKZNCWFjlv6NUrEY_6vTek5NOiZu4XO_Vbf/s400/GOPR0059-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A healthy manatee can
appear quite rotund. The average adult manatee is 9.8 feet (3 meters) long and
can weigh up to 1,200 pounds (544 kilograms). </div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kgbw8f00uipqFA2PvnnMoAzP7KWBLIo-JGjBIVB_XGnRmR04CsgdL4LyXIpkefi0Be7G16mgC9V7_Q0Zl1IfOzD9-qHzsMrSr-FWzF0_IiOWYTGtCotdi2uraDAR4NfijB_88nhzQ9RY/s1600/GOPR0233-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kgbw8f00uipqFA2PvnnMoAzP7KWBLIo-JGjBIVB_XGnRmR04CsgdL4LyXIpkefi0Be7G16mgC9V7_Q0Zl1IfOzD9-qHzsMrSr-FWzF0_IiOWYTGtCotdi2uraDAR4NfijB_88nhzQ9RY/s400/GOPR0233-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rita swims over to
check out the camera! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKyHLM5Zn9Sk1i5lHhp8nLRmVTNqdoa6rmB3eHvb31G5iONBsCEVtXwwSfmtimIa3inQyBnwMuaJO_eObG8WMKGk9aHKvqiBPe-7DZ1eybU4tWh7BZUI7DRggmGFK1AqY3ZzuBuUqkhiK/s1600/GOPR0241-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKyHLM5Zn9Sk1i5lHhp8nLRmVTNqdoa6rmB3eHvb31G5iONBsCEVtXwwSfmtimIa3inQyBnwMuaJO_eObG8WMKGk9aHKvqiBPe-7DZ1eybU4tWh7BZUI7DRggmGFK1AqY3ZzuBuUqkhiK/s400/GOPR0241-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi, my name is Rita and I’m a manatee! </div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsu-h2-HbVAjuYw5jY8JggcyPfGGlGsc1tVhoaGqicoOHnwsvPBZGaTap1nc8F6BCG0nVB_L7XgChBcyKlNMVW9aXZ0uaVm77EYND7HAMD1bLvH4mkYH4ww-hu_J8LnyO6o9FC30L0OY0/s1600/Georgie_toenails.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsu-h2-HbVAjuYw5jY8JggcyPfGGlGsc1tVhoaGqicoOHnwsvPBZGaTap1nc8F6BCG0nVB_L7XgChBcyKlNMVW9aXZ0uaVm77EYND7HAMD1bLvH4mkYH4ww-hu_J8LnyO6o9FC30L0OY0/s400/Georgie_toenails.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Georgie shows off her toe nails!</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g66bHkw1F2eIj3OXzk8gpUPipVwNtGztIXL6ritCJ2uNpnNp3fuRIaB40p4_XaSu4pDyCGEMfL-7a23FD1xVWu9Gm8v76Yy0iY5_4RvI_Ua_GRh_ULVxN2njb48LgjWWO4uUnMIa_jEc/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g66bHkw1F2eIj3OXzk8gpUPipVwNtGztIXL6ritCJ2uNpnNp3fuRIaB40p4_XaSu4pDyCGEMfL-7a23FD1xVWu9Gm8v76Yy0iY5_4RvI_Ua_GRh_ULVxN2njb48LgjWWO4uUnMIa_jEc/s400/Image1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Indira Brown (Department of Marine Resources) and Kendria Ferguson (BMMRO) observe Rita and Georgie. </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ1DgN5e2QUwUTrq4lNhH4aOrc_KXtffIYstsGsjKcd52G_9lvgggXFGhW5swXiVdQJ3LKmH6y-SM3ehnN660unnI_6SeIitW59MRCfQGfMWJD7w6_DqPELdsDBFRswUY0HALpwz76gg5/s1600/Image10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ1DgN5e2QUwUTrq4lNhH4aOrc_KXtffIYstsGsjKcd52G_9lvgggXFGhW5swXiVdQJ3LKmH6y-SM3ehnN660unnI_6SeIitW59MRCfQGfMWJD7w6_DqPELdsDBFRswUY0HALpwz76gg5/s1600/Image10.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">Like all mammals, manatees have hair;
although it is found all over their body it is primarily on their face and around
their mouth. Also known as whiskers, they use these hairs to navigate and
explore their environment. They are able to gather information about the shapes
and textures of objects or surfaces they encounter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLgPMqe6UvdR12wxhCXjcZupnArKHYsOyi-dr5USmLUsfE8ciG9kKK7vDJzqFbgVadYJApgrUwSZMbeqZgvQ2NA9tDfHqNzlSXfW066OlWtdSNpUSJLzLC_7zwlS4xFkgj1G3t79ZwB9Q/s1600/Image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLgPMqe6UvdR12wxhCXjcZupnArKHYsOyi-dr5USmLUsfE8ciG9kKK7vDJzqFbgVadYJApgrUwSZMbeqZgvQ2NA9tDfHqNzlSXfW066OlWtdSNpUSJLzLC_7zwlS4xFkgj1G3t79ZwB9Q/s1600/Image3.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Marine mammals also breathe air. Manatees
must return to the water’s surface to breathe air through their two nostrils
(closed in this photo). Manatees have two very large lungs that extend along
their back to their anus. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">To learn more about the anatomy of manatees, please
visit <a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/anatomy2.htm">http://www.savethemanatee.org/anatomy2.htm</a>.</span></div>
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Jim Reid (USGS) and Kendria track Rita and Georgie in the harbour. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0lXsQmBKVezYblFSdc9r3Wppx8w-W7Tl5yKMqrcnHLeuB0mH0PP9mpoew1HUcuKTMSBS9fyJAI5LTJ1-tJaOgv-IQFx9cR9eqtKRmC1ItVUe2Ca3UaCnyoox9rEL8waCViSkUiVaxEGm/s1600/Image6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0lXsQmBKVezYblFSdc9r3Wppx8w-W7Tl5yKMqrcnHLeuB0mH0PP9mpoew1HUcuKTMSBS9fyJAI5LTJ1-tJaOgv-IQFx9cR9eqtKRmC1ItVUe2Ca3UaCnyoox9rEL8waCViSkUiVaxEGm/s400/Image6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Georgie investigates BMMRO's boat. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnZpSu9YKmNBYLWrC9acos0UjnRedijNQP32kZMdTq7gXU1nO4X0q6__kmCOU5jSCKRDkwPLTnT_ngDKwU9ydyw_JIQFPyZTjuv14OgIte6WoAjAD7mSDbZgrNRsCxd6bN3pSErZ8XQPt/s1600/Image9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnZpSu9YKmNBYLWrC9acos0UjnRedijNQP32kZMdTq7gXU1nO4X0q6__kmCOU5jSCKRDkwPLTnT_ngDKwU9ydyw_JIQFPyZTjuv14OgIte6WoAjAD7mSDbZgrNRsCxd6bN3pSErZ8XQPt/s400/Image9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The tracking team share manatee inspired jokes!</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-86566171171092961032012-05-10T11:33:00.000-04:002012-05-10T11:55:18.072-04:00Rita and Georgie are creating great habits!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">This blog was created to allow the public to follow two
manatees, Rita and her calf Georgie, as scientists track them after their
release back into the wild. Please return for weekly updates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">NOTES
FROM THE FIELD – WEEK 3:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTW5-cIoe2GzdfpOtD4m6p2NhN22rFCMp5hV4cxGTgPDCti4d3CARnK6jBFjxS_4rWlBzRutyitz62naOF8dGfyKSSnTO3rr8E4BWNI9XWKzeqq76HVyyis_kAlzPXyLE44QFV61zaYne/s1600/PC210074-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTW5-cIoe2GzdfpOtD4m6p2NhN22rFCMp5hV4cxGTgPDCti4d3CARnK6jBFjxS_4rWlBzRutyitz62naOF8dGfyKSSnTO3rr8E4BWNI9XWKzeqq76HVyyis_kAlzPXyLE44QFV61zaYne/s200/PC210074-001.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'H-antenna'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">03-May-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Using wildlife tracking receivers, signal attenuators and a hand held
‘H-antenna,’ the tracking team were able to pick up strong VHF signals from
within the Great Harbour Cay marina, indicating that Rita and Georgie were
either in the marina or outside, in the harbour. We found both tagged manatees
a few feet away from the marina office on the south side of the marina. Georgie
was observed nursing and being very social with her mother, Rita. Acoustic
recordings, photos and videos were collected from this encounter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">04-May-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Early
morning Argos satellite locations indicated that Rita and Georgie were still in
Great Harbour Cay harbour. Overnight they traveled throughout the harbour and in
the morning we found them feeding in an area known as a feeding site used by
the resident Great Harbour Cay animals. Both tagged animals spent the majority of
the day feeding in this area. After checking on Rita and Georgie, the tracking team
went to search the harbour for the four resident manatees but was unable to
find them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
rest of the day was spent talking to local and visiting boaters about manatees
and how important it is to maintain idle speed when traveling in the harbour. “Slow
Down” manatee signs have been placed in various locations throughout the
harbour and on the island. These signs were provided by the <a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/">Save the Manatee Club</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHPh_HdZX_gMOZx949TkJxceuEMUUAjvp_V9iqFWPlggx87A3WxSNP9n-sZmn3XPL9SfB_XPhHAHnRHzLDxbc2Ag0_7dI3GLkkUcOkzUzylrj6Urn-eTff8EB7Xfq599IxzmfRRMoTWV5/s1600/120421.Rita%2526Georgie.BMMRO.100_10733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHPh_HdZX_gMOZx949TkJxceuEMUUAjvp_V9iqFWPlggx87A3WxSNP9n-sZmn3XPL9SfB_XPhHAHnRHzLDxbc2Ag0_7dI3GLkkUcOkzUzylrj6Urn-eTff8EB7Xfq599IxzmfRRMoTWV5/s200/120421.Rita%2526Georgie.BMMRO.100_10733.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tracking team putting up<br />
"Slow Down" signs during the<br />
first week of tracking.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjBo2PZHQY_-p6lQN71M6gExYtrBw9wnWiz97raEtXDnV22WkIFB_48BVBtsxQAQKukTRg4pghP8ox-xnIB4-rHzyXMYKtbeuJvZ3brXdd6_uWmTe9btWE9Cx_vAAL6XkMFSIX7pES7eU/s1600/IMG00129-20120425-1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjBo2PZHQY_-p6lQN71M6gExYtrBw9wnWiz97raEtXDnV22WkIFB_48BVBtsxQAQKukTRg4pghP8ox-xnIB4-rHzyXMYKtbeuJvZ3brXdd6_uWmTe9btWE9Cx_vAAL6XkMFSIX7pES7eU/s200/IMG00129-20120425-1054.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manatee posters provided by <br />
Save the Manatee Club <br />
posted at the local Clinic office.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">05-May-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NF-Kv0X1o7Oh3ZGb6QXD_mz7ugNcyCLlJz7y-JikDH5mx76UIsmRF3UhSBVXWNj0v-QnD98eKHMuSqlZFdH0RTrTl2dSSN-xKjni7dNpReeCSV2r6BmvJwhjD8jF5SeejZBzTE1tr33-/s1600/IMG00141-20120505-1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NF-Kv0X1o7Oh3ZGb6QXD_mz7ugNcyCLlJz7y-JikDH5mx76UIsmRF3UhSBVXWNj0v-QnD98eKHMuSqlZFdH0RTrTl2dSSN-xKjni7dNpReeCSV2r6BmvJwhjD8jF5SeejZBzTE1tr33-/s320/IMG00141-20120505-1222.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shortly
after 9am, a quick walk on the balcony made our tracking work easier than
expected! A manatee head came peeking out from under a boat tied up next to the
house and sure enough it was Rita! Both, Rita and Georgie spent the majority of
the day feeding just in front of where we are staying. They were observed
feeding on brown algae and sea grass and resting at the surface. As local boats
slowly entered and left the harbour, the manatees continued to feed in the same
area, with little visible reaction to the noise from the boats idling slowly
past them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After
confirming that the manatees were in the harbour, we spent the morning working
on educational materials for an upcoming visit to R.N. Gomez All Age School,
here in the Berry Islands. The primary level students will be introduced to
basic manatee biology and have the opportunity to see the tags used on Rita and
Georgie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By 4pm,
Rita and Georgie presumably had a belly full of food and began to head out of
the marina towards the harbour. We watched as they traveled towards another
feeding hotspot just outside of the marina’s entrance, and then moved back into
the marina where they remained for the next hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
was a great day for not only the locals but for boaters to see the animals in
their natural environment and realise how important it is for them to drive
slow in the harbour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">06-May-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the
early morning, satellite locations showed that Rita and Georgie had left the
harbour and were heading north along the west coast of Great Harbour Cay. They
traveled to Lignum Vitae Cay where we believe they were feeding on the sea
grass beds in the area. After a few hours in this area, they continued around
to the east side of the island and began traveling down the east coast of Great
Harbour. This route is very similar to the route they took during their first
week in the Berry Islands. Manatees have very good memory and rely on it to
navigate to areas they have visited in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kendria
and a local fisherman, Alvin Rolle, spent the afternoon traveling by road along
the east coast to track Rita and Georgie. Tag signals were picked up for both
animals but Alvin and Kendria were unable to see the animals from shore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At
10pm, satellite locations indicated that Rita and Georgie had turned back
around and headed back north towards the east side of Great Stirrup Cay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Team
members Delano Springer (Dolphin Cay, Atlantis) and Olivia Patterson (Friends
of the Environment) headed back to Nassau and Abaco today. Both are involved
with educational outreach in their “real” jobs and their learning experience
with the manatees at Great Harbour Cay will provide excellent material to share
with young Bahamians and help generate interest in marine mammals in The
Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">07-May-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Russell
Morgan (Dolphin Cay, Atlantis) returned to help Kendria Ferguson (BMMRO) with
the field tracking. In the morning they headed north to Lignum Vitae Cay to check
on Rita and Georgie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
tagged manatees were found hugging the coast line where they were feeding on
seagrass. Initially, the tracking team thought that Rita and Georgie were by
themselves but were surprised to find the juvenile male was also with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
area has become a feeding hotspot for both tagged manatees as they have visited
this cay on numerous occasions since their re-introduction into the wild. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">08-May-12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">High
south winds prevented the tracking team from getting an early start in tracking
Rita and Georgie up north. Instead, they spent the morning working on the
‘Manatee Blog’ and preparing for their upcoming school visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Later
that day we welcomed, Kelly Sweeting, a scientist from the <a href="http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/">Dolphin Communication
Project</a> in Bimini. Shortly after her arrival a shift in wind direction
allowed the tracking team to go search for Rita and Georgie. Tag VHF signals
were being picked up from within the harbour but because they were not as strong
signals as they would have been if Rita and Georgie were in the harbour, the
tracking team then headed out of the harbour cut to search for them. As we got
out of the cut and started to head north the signals were getting stronger,
which prompted us to slow down and search within the area. Rita and Georgie
were found hugging the coastline and heading towards the harbour entrance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">With a
few boats on their way into the harbour, the tracking team used this time to direct
the fishermen and tourists as they entered. By surprise, Russell also noticed
that there were a few animals ahead of Rita and Georgie also making their way
into the harbour entrance. We believe Rita and Georgie may have been following
the other manatees or were previously with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">09-May-12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At
6:30am, Argos locations showed that Rita and Georgie were just north of
Bullocks Harbour. High winds would prevent the tracking team from heading on
the water to search for Rita and Georgie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jimmy
Darville, a local fisherman, informed Kendria that there were three manatees on
the backside of the causeway. This mangrove system is linked to the harbour and
can be accessed by the manatees by swimming under a bridge. On their way into
the Bullocks Harbour, the tracking team saw Jimmy fishing in the area and the
juvenile male just a few feet away from his boat. Gina and her calf, JJ, were
also in the mangrove system observed to be feeding and resting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXjxdO6P07GtpWWbGctFqCrugQV6AsvWS6wOG5fKTVHUrFXR7dDeI3C-G3klGA4y-ejPQdwyduMoCkh3BtdgDISVrbyMDIpYHf2XHnx86iCsd4aQHJMokmJ7GBgItuV6-bpsSVKYuTrWH/s1600/P5080805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXjxdO6P07GtpWWbGctFqCrugQV6AsvWS6wOG5fKTVHUrFXR7dDeI3C-G3klGA4y-ejPQdwyduMoCkh3BtdgDISVrbyMDIpYHf2XHnx86iCsd4aQHJMokmJ7GBgItuV6-bpsSVKYuTrWH/s320/P5080805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Later
that day Kelly and Kendria visited R.N.Gomez All Age School and gave
presentations to both the lower primary and upper primary level students. These
students learned about manatee habitat use and behavior. They also had the
opportunity to track a tag brought by the tracking team. While with the lower
primary students, Kendria ‘dialed in’ on Rita’s tag and was shock to be picking
up a good signal. The school is located near to a mangrove system that the
resident manatees are known to visit. The students became very excited when
they heard Rita’s tag and did a very good job at indicating the direction in
which she could have been located.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX-ShSwMFKrJIB4OStnSBPX8-Jrpr6RAeY0oEpzyHrixTq0Uc-dV7FfSFHG0JyxGX2AMblCr2QCS6areOYW6TeqKik_ZL3xiTiuzSxBncm10O1QEaBCE8T9gyJLgDQ5GBGqRttfjbnFRa/s1600/P5090815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX-ShSwMFKrJIB4OStnSBPX8-Jrpr6RAeY0oEpzyHrixTq0Uc-dV7FfSFHG0JyxGX2AMblCr2QCS6areOYW6TeqKik_ZL3xiTiuzSxBncm10O1QEaBCE8T9gyJLgDQ5GBGqRttfjbnFRa/s320/P5090815.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: A student<br />
pretends to be a manatee with a tracking tag.<br />
Bottom Left: The students received manatee<br />
bookmarks, provided by Save the Manatee Club.<br />
They also received manatee acitivity booklets and<br />
a 'I love Manatees' sticker.<br />
Top Right: The boys of the upper primary school<br />
using the 'H-antennae' and transmitter to<br />
locate their classmates, who were holding the tag.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt1dNiVE0h-YAGujWWKH-B7_Am-zX7MaQPrcWPuA-niWMdMcG3OFUSBo1Ld_vuNYgwEGy79jhRApLNY2Y96zPv2sYwHaGfuJQUPA0eve4Kk6lii8h9ja0w2nbtIiStviDF8779C8UFETK/s1600/P5090812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt1dNiVE0h-YAGujWWKH-B7_Am-zX7MaQPrcWPuA-niWMdMcG3OFUSBo1Ld_vuNYgwEGy79jhRApLNY2Y96zPv2sYwHaGfuJQUPA0eve4Kk6lii8h9ja0w2nbtIiStviDF8779C8UFETK/s320/P5090812.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg_egXA2LRdxWJPTMdlZDg_U2gqCB7W6IIWwSyOKy5gKXpDjM9iO_o0KsWogb5NlpYyplKCBsrFaP_PA51zsxlnrbDExL3ynFgEVyHFztuTrKXoJ1kFr_HHE9luGDaQMcyqAUjVuv1eGh/s1600/P5090814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg_egXA2LRdxWJPTMdlZDg_U2gqCB7W6IIWwSyOKy5gKXpDjM9iO_o0KsWogb5NlpYyplKCBsrFaP_PA51zsxlnrbDExL3ynFgEVyHFztuTrKXoJ1kFr_HHE9luGDaQMcyqAUjVuv1eGh/s1600/P5090814.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS9H_SITxvDq_R2uHLYYfrDB5h0163fuZTYriIJj_8RmuI3RPfgXkbGltr6rAwyNEbsEchGQTGa_Qt5ej5TrLmupjPQP9nYUcWA-4nNLqamqEfGwgB0C8Ga2K6_zvXi_pMmbBVoPjXNFK/s1600/Map-2012-05-10-13-56-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS9H_SITxvDq_R2uHLYYfrDB5h0163fuZTYriIJj_8RmuI3RPfgXkbGltr6rAwyNEbsEchGQTGa_Qt5ej5TrLmupjPQP9nYUcWA-4nNLqamqEfGwgB0C8Ga2K6_zvXi_pMmbBVoPjXNFK/s640/Map-2012-05-10-13-56-06.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A plot of the locations of Rita and Georgie via Argos
satellite shows their third weeks' movement around Great Harbour Cay; arrows
indicate direction of travel from Great Harbour Cay harbour to Great Stirrup Cay. </div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-64021464738140403472012-05-02T23:29:00.000-04:002012-05-03T08:23:03.292-04:00<h2 style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Rita and Georgie are adapting well to their new home</span></h2>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This blog was created to allow the public to follow two
manatees, Rita and her calf Georgie, as scientists track them after their
release back into the wild. Please return for weekly updates.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">NOTES
FROM THE FIELD – WEEK 2:<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">26-April-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 10 am
GPS locations showed that both tagged animals were north of Great Harbour Cay,
near Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay (Little Stirrup Cay). The tracking team set out
by boat and was able to locate Rita and Georgie as they traveled around the
western end of Coco Cay. For the next two hours, the tracking team directed the
passenger transport boats of Coco Cay to ensure that both tagged animals were
able to safely explore the area. Seeing the tagged manatees explore the harbour
was both a treat for the tourists visiting the island and the staff of Coco Cay!
Once Rita and Georgie were both safely out of the harbour, the tracking team
then went to survey the area for seagrass beds, manatee food. We found
extensive seagrass coverage on southeast end of Coco Cay. It is in this area
that the other four manatees of Great Harbour Cay are occasionally seen. From
Coco Cay, Rita and Georgie continued to travel towards Great Stirrup Cay and
remained in that area for the next two days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">A
special thank you to Coco Cay site manager, Michelle McGregor, the boat
captains, crew, and the ground staff of Coco Cay for their cooperation in
ensuring the safety of these animals! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ9WSgPDn42zqo_CCyQayaFow5JSmerANfvGx71_he_HRhfoM10V9fh-1mVFzZBUgzsfjBm3zrsfpaNd731aMWmwu5PblKd-oLMY12LbvB9VxWTHK0Z9G_S7nj0m69x1zcAIXFyo2Sk0f/s1600/Rita_Georgie-CocoCay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ9WSgPDn42zqo_CCyQayaFow5JSmerANfvGx71_he_HRhfoM10V9fh-1mVFzZBUgzsfjBm3zrsfpaNd731aMWmwu5PblKd-oLMY12LbvB9VxWTHK0Z9G_S7nj0m69x1zcAIXFyo2Sk0f/s400/Rita_Georgie-CocoCay.png" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rita and Georgie explore Coco Cay harbour;
the floating tag housings just visible at the surface, shown by the circle.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After spending the first week after the release in Great Harbour assisting with the tracking, Indira Brown from the Department of Marine Resources</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> headed back to Nassau today. Indira's role has focused on getting the support of local government officials and the police in enforcing existing slow speed laws for boats in Bullock's Harbour. This is critical to reduce the risk of manatees being hit and injured by boat propellors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">27-April-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
tracking team set off to track the tagged animals up north. At noon, both
tagged animals were found on the banks on the southern side of Great Stirrup
Cay, owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines. Both animals remained very close together
as they traveled around the western tip of the island and along its northern coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
was a great opportunity to meet the site manager of Great Stirrup Cay, Mr. Kent
Albury, and inform him about both the tagged manatees and manatees in general.
Mr. Albury told the tracking team that his staff saw Rita and Georgie the night
before in their southern harbour. Educational brochures and posters provided by
<a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/">Save the Manatee Club</a> were given to
Mr. Albury to assist in educating both the local staff and visitors of Great
Stirrup Cay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE66JrQd29wcpTpb1iJwxrcRCWoJq9H_iXsnFUZcArNvtGrRYEDbbvusci2Wgj7zcT90xKjBvPahFh5b90T_TEApZF2TELMACoQ3GlsceGY562ARFBLJL_A2zHZNYQTObfvdARabA4Uor/s1600/rita_Georgie-greatstirrup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE66JrQd29wcpTpb1iJwxrcRCWoJq9H_iXsnFUZcArNvtGrRYEDbbvusci2Wgj7zcT90xKjBvPahFh5b90T_TEApZF2TELMACoQ3GlsceGY562ARFBLJL_A2zHZNYQTObfvdARabA4Uor/s400/rita_Georgie-greatstirrup.png" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rita and Georgie passing the beach at Great
Stirrup Cay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">28-April-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the
early morning, GPS locations showed that both tagged animals were on the west
side of Petit Cay (just east of Great Harbour Cay). Rita and Georgie then traveled
back north towards Great Stirrup Cay. Severe weather associated with a low
pressure system to our south prevented the tracking team from traveling up
north to locate them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 11:30
am, Kendria received a call from Michelle McGreogor (site manager of Coco Cay)
informing the tracking team that both Rita and Georgie were in their harbour.
We would like to thank Ms. McGregor and her staff for reporting their
sightings! Although the tags provide near real-time satellite locations via
CLS/Argos, it is always good to hear of local sightings to know they the public
is familiar with our project, and manatee activities in general.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">29-April-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">GPS
locations showed that Rita and Georgie remained near Coco Cay. The severe
weather continued all day keeping the tracking team in port but they monitored
the manatees’ locations via the satellite data they receive from the tags.
During the night Rita and Georgie began traveling south back towards Great
Harbour Cay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">30-April-2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today
was crew change day for the tracking team. Jim Reid, manatee biologist and
project leader (Sirenia Project, US Geological Survey) headed back to Florida
and Russell Morgan (Dolphin Cay-Atlantis) returned to Nassau. They were
replaced by Olivia Patterson from Abaco. Livi wears two hats: she is the
Program Coordinator at Friends of the Environment in Marsh Harbour but also
works as a field scientist with the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation
for 1-2 months a year. Livi joins Kendria Ferguson (BMMRO, and now Field Leader)
and Delano Springer (Dolphin Cay-Atlantis) who are remaining in Great Harbour
Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite
continuing rain Kendria, Delano and Livi and headed out on the water to locate
Rita and Georgie. Argos satellite locations received earlier showed that both
animals were just north of the harbour entrance. By 10 am the tracking team was
picking up good VHF signals from inside of the marina, suggesting Rita
and Georgie were inside Bullock’s Harbour. Covered in their rain gear, they headed
out of the marina and found Rita and Georgie traveling east into the harbour
with another manatee close behind. This was the completion of their third
extended travel away from Great Harbour. Each time they return we have greater
confidence in their adaptation to the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">01-May-2012<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 8 am, we were picking up strong
close range VHF radio signals from the tags so we decided to track Rita and
Georgie by land. After searching a few locations in the marina that Rita and
Georgie frequently visited, they were soon located at the eastern end of the
marina. Rita, Georgie and the juvenile male remained in the area for over an
hour before traveling west under the condos and towards the marina exit. It was
during this travel route that Rita’s tag detached at the weak link. Both Rita
and Georgie’s tag have a weak link that will automatically break if the tags
get caught or tangled. The tracking team quickly retrieved Rita’s floating
tag. Within an hour Rita had a temporary tag attached to her belt. With help
from Jim Reid (thank goodness for<span class="MsoCommentReference"> </span>internet communications!), Kendria downloaded the data from Rita’s
tag in preparation for reattaching it to her belt later. The team headed back
out into the harbour and found Rita, Georgie, the juvenile male and the adult
male all in the same area. The four manatees were very interested in us and
Rita’s original tag was successfully reattached. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hats off to Delano, Olivia and
Kendria! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">02-May-12<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">As of 6:30 am Argos location data
showed that Rita and Georgie were still in the harbour. As the tracking team
ate breakfast, Kendria took a quick walk onto the balcony and saw both tagged
animals just opposite the house. Immediately she started to record their
vocalizations using an underwater microphone hanging from the dock, just 100
feet away from Rita, Georgie, and the juvenile male. All three animals remained
in the same area for over two hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shortly after 10, as the tracking
team started to head back to the house they noticed that Gina, JJ and the adult
male were resting at the eastern end of the marina with the adult male. This is
the first time that all six manatees have been seen in the same area. Up to
this moment, we were uncertain if the resident cow/calf Gina and JJ have meet
their new neighbors, Rita and Georgie but today it all happened right before
our eyes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">All six manatees socialized and
introduced themselves! Acoustic recordings, photos and videos were all
collected from another successful manatee tracking day in Bullock’s
Harbour! More on the manatees and details on our data collection soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35YCW5nvJafu_NU1A_Qt9_POs6k5KB-bvz6Jv6hpL_kfrHVQ1XF2_S-hLdJRRJwpFG93OhRY25RiQmULOrmvYBdWA1iDYNULTnTKMVRsK_XgVRindLsKLDGPWkL7OeEk_Nizc1LSxZ49B/s1600/elorn_georgie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35YCW5nvJafu_NU1A_Qt9_POs6k5KB-bvz6Jv6hpL_kfrHVQ1XF2_S-hLdJRRJwpFG93OhRY25RiQmULOrmvYBdWA1iDYNULTnTKMVRsK_XgVRindLsKLDGPWkL7OeEk_Nizc1LSxZ49B/s400/elorn_georgie.png" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elorn, owner of Happy People Rentals, watches Georgie drinking from a leaking
water pipe under the dock. Although artificial, these sources are a benign
method for manatees to obtain the freshwater needed to survive in fully marine
environments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaQ7UQRUrx3wtSkxU7tEqDmzsrGbG9rK5uvHqG8ErGvhc8_7OuVUyCXbdhyA2ZRb4OJFDNSUwPP8BV1UgKUnz9PK-kcwOgy_Qz8sll7e0bvgj-7Rz31Q7Fn-yOd3TLJ1Pg-_vCZ6Tphld/s1600/livi_police_georgie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaQ7UQRUrx3wtSkxU7tEqDmzsrGbG9rK5uvHqG8ErGvhc8_7OuVUyCXbdhyA2ZRb4OJFDNSUwPP8BV1UgKUnz9PK-kcwOgy_Qz8sll7e0bvgj-7Rz31Q7Fn-yOd3TLJ1Pg-_vCZ6Tphld/s400/livi_police_georgie.png" width="271" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Olivia and Great Harbour Cay Police Officer observe Georgie and the
juvenile male interacting with Gina. Local interest and protection are
critical for manatees surviving at Great Harbour Cay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYyrIFuAuaUtRFikprOGIN-rzCEY_rxbF0_QIYIreTpZmvkgtdY_c6TdIpi7-iHlyvAUHBniZA8H9RBP6H0y6xW9Um8M2fODa6Q4SEPJDZP_DraLw6SK9teS366o79IIId2VQJrP5KpjD/s1600/manatee-gathering.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYyrIFuAuaUtRFikprOGIN-rzCEY_rxbF0_QIYIreTpZmvkgtdY_c6TdIpi7-iHlyvAUHBniZA8H9RBP6H0y6xW9Um8M2fODa6Q4SEPJDZP_DraLw6SK9teS366o79IIId2VQJrP5KpjD/s400/manatee-gathering.png" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manatee gathering!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAnbkqQtF61mjCYiiNSenyMdTu-k2HXqFp1hLvZpDi88w6lyCCEqQV3zwH7waRF3BprC0i3OH70vUB1eTZDR0tsTfrA_4qB-864cJqnDa98ErIEqttgW-s09KdFmsO0sonb-QdyjCj2GN/s1600/Gina_JJ-nursing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAnbkqQtF61mjCYiiNSenyMdTu-k2HXqFp1hLvZpDi88w6lyCCEqQV3zwH7waRF3BprC0i3OH70vUB1eTZDR0tsTfrA_4qB-864cJqnDa98ErIEqttgW-s09KdFmsO0sonb-QdyjCj2GN/s400/Gina_JJ-nursing.png" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gina’s calf, JJ nursing. Manatees’ teats are
located under the female’s “armpit”. Manatees calves are dependent on their
mother and nurse for nearly two years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoG9XBoxe7ppClGNz0AnZxvv7sEnZSvcwoSMsJrzg4Jt1zkCqG_FKFGLdC6keUjs_YxF50A60VMXWnFlCf77cT-XDcnOrvgH758jBll_QtwCWt_cY8hd0kjC41ZjnWUYdM5G5YNl4I6Vt/s1600/Map-2012-05-02-19-33-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoG9XBoxe7ppClGNz0AnZxvv7sEnZSvcwoSMsJrzg4Jt1zkCqG_FKFGLdC6keUjs_YxF50A60VMXWnFlCf77cT-XDcnOrvgH758jBll_QtwCWt_cY8hd0kjC41ZjnWUYdM5G5YNl4I6Vt/s640/Map-2012-05-02-19-33-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">A plot of the locations of Rita and Georgie via Argos
satellite show their second weeks' movement around Great Harbour Cay; arrows
indicate direction of travel from and returning to Great Harbour Cay harbour.
55168 is Rita's satellite transmitter Identification number, although Georgie
followed her for the entire trip.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8780406046572569963.post-36308955278651549232012-04-25T19:40:00.001-04:002012-04-25T22:15:16.738-04:00Rita and Georgie are released!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This blog was created to allow the public to follow two manatees, Rita
and her calf Georgie, as scientists track them after their release back into
the wild. Please return for weekly updates.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">NOTES FROM THE
FIELD – WEEK 1:</span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">19-April-2012</span></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At 10:30 am, Rita and Georgie arrived at the Great Harbour
Cay Marina in Bullock’s Harbour </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">on the Atlantis vessel </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Sea Keeper</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">.
High school students and interested locals had gathered at the marina for this
exciting event. At 11:00 am, Dolphin Cay-Atlantis Animal Rescue Team carefully
lowered Georgie into the water, and then Rita followed as quickly as possible.
Both animals immediately paired up underwater and surfaced swimming towards the
mangroves at the east end of the marina.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">During the time of the release, two
male manatees were observed in the marina and later paired up with the tagged
animals. All four manatees were observed socialising as they slowly travelled
out of the marina. Jim Reid (USGS) set up the VHF tracking gear and the
tracking team started to track Rita and Georgie from land.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After a few detours through the
bush, we found all four animals at the northern end of the T-canal; which is a
‘T’ shape cut in the harbour. We observed both males interacting with Rita
while Georgie milled nearby. All four were seen feeding on algae on the canal
wall. We left them at 4:30 PM.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>20-April-2012</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the early morning, the juvenile
male was seen in the marina and came very close to one of our vessels. The
single animal remained in the harbor for more than 3 hours. This was a great
opportunity for Matt McCoy (Loggerhead Productions) to get underwater footage
of the juvenile male, which will be used in an educational film about ‘Manatees
in The Bahamas.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rita and Georgie were later found in
the marina but Rita’s tag was missing! Jim successfully placed a temporary tag
on Rita and the original tag was found and later reattached. Kendria Ferguson
(BMMRO) made acoustic recordings of both animals, which will be used to
identify individuals from their vocalisations.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Later Jim collected genetic samples
from both the adult and juvenile males. These samples will be used to determine
if these individuals are both offspring of Gina and help to develop a family
tree of Great Harbour Cay manatees.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>21-April-2012</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At 8:30 am GPS locations from the
tags showed that Rita and Georgie were in Shark Creek along the west side of
Great Harbour Cay, about 2 miles south of the harbour. When the tracking team
arrived they found mother and calf both in good health and feeding on seagrass
beds in the creek system.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>22-April-2012 </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b> </b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With winds up to 20 knots the
weather was not favorable for the tracking team to hit the open waters in
search of Rita and Georgie so we decided to put up manatee warning signs. These
signs were provided by Florida’s Save the Manatee Club, along with other
educational material that will distribute throughout the island to raise
awareness of the local population of manatees.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The tracking team was able to track
them by land and both animals were found on the east side of the island
swimming along the beach. The tracking team stayed with them for over 3 hours
and monitored their breathing and movement patterns. We also got some
underwater photos!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>23-April-2012</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At 10:40 am local residents of
Great Harbour Cay notified the “manatee lady” (Kendria) that four manatees were
in front of the marina office. <a href="http://bmmro.blogspot.com/p/great-harbour-cay-manatees.html">Gina and her
calf JJ</a> were both observed feeding on algae on the pilings and JJ was seen
nursing occasionally. Both the adult male and juvenile male were there and
remained close to Gina and JJ during their stay in the marina.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jim was able to collect a genetic
sample from JJ and also confirm that she is in fact a female calf. Both males
continued to remain close and watched Jim constantly!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">GPS locations from Rita and Georgie
tags showed that they traveled as far south as Ambergris Cays. During the
night, the tracking team closely monitored their movements as they were
received via satellite. They entered Shark Creek shortly after 6pm from the
west side of the island and remained there for approximately 5 hours. During
this time, scientists believe that they were feeding and resting, as this area
has extensive seagrass bed coverage. The tracking team continued to monitor
their movements throughout the night and hoped that they turned to head back
north very soon!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>24-April-2012</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At 4:30am, GPS locations showed that
Rita and Georgie took ‘the channel’ cut and headed back north into the harbour
of Great Harbour Cay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At 8am we located both mother and
calf under Al’s dock (our local fish provider). Both animals were resting and
Georgie was observed nursing. The tracking team obtained photos, videos and
acoustic recordings of both animals during this 3.5 hour encounter.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">From their departure from the
harbour early Sunday morning to their return Monday morning, they managed to
complete a 50 mile trip around Great Harbour. A very happy ending to a very
long journey!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>25-April-2012</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rita and Georgie remained in the
marina overnight and at 7:15am were found just a few houses down from the tag
team’s home. Both animals swam towards our tracking vessel, “Feresa” and
remained in the area for 15 minutes. Georgie has quite the personality! She
began sucking on Feresa’s inflatable tubes and eating the algae off another
inflatable boat a few feet away.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Both animals remained very close and
traveled under the docks towards the end of the marina towards the mangroves.
The local residents occasionally report seeing Gina and the other manatees at
these mangroves and believe there is a fresh water discharge. This is also very
close to the area of Rita and Georgie’s initial release back into the wild.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdWgbQZ9FyIq75hK1yuZb5GaDXyIU55zQhVxxE23rLbGKC4nXE3LVngR82AUnhjvTbG6R2X2n_00aCI3C7NEf9mfJdjKU6jQyEFJVE7SrwONp70Zyubh2IztK2PxZO4krMYTdn6Hm1QNM/s1600/Map-2012-04-26-02-00-33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdWgbQZ9FyIq75hK1yuZb5GaDXyIU55zQhVxxE23rLbGKC4nXE3LVngR82AUnhjvTbG6R2X2n_00aCI3C7NEf9mfJdjKU6jQyEFJVE7SrwONp70Zyubh2IztK2PxZO4krMYTdn6Hm1QNM/s400/Map-2012-04-26-02-00-33.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A plot of the locations of Rita and Georgie via Argos satellite show their first weeks' movement around Great Harbour Cay; arrows indicate direction of travel from and returning to Great Harbour Cay harbour. 55168 is Rita's satellite </span><span style="font-size: small;">transmitter Identification</span><span style="font-size: small;"> number. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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