The
Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO) has stood by their
mission ‘to promote conservation of marine mammals and their habitats
through scientific research and educational outreach,’ in their role in
the return of Rita and Georgie back to the wild. Immediately following
the capture BMMRO advised the Department of Marine Resources and
Atlantis of the urgency in releasing the manatees as soon as possible.
BMMRO
collaborated with manatee researcher Jim Reid at the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS), to draft a release plan which recommended release in
Bullock’s Harbour, Great Harbour Cay, where a small group of manatees
currently reside.
In
preparation for Rita and Georgie’s release, BMMRO has conducted
research at Great Harbour Cay to learn more about the manatees that have
been residing there for the past 13 years. Equally important, BMMRO’s
education officer Kendria Ferguson commenced educational outreach to the
local community, visiting the school to give seminars, and increasing
awareness about manatee presence for boaters.
On
Thursday April 19th 2012, animal rescue staff at Dolphin Cay safely
transported Rita and Georgie to Bullock’s Harbour and at 11:00am they
were released. They immediately joined two other manatees and spent the
remainder of the day socialising with them.
For more information on the release efforts visit: http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/bahamas_manatee_release.html
