Did you know that scientists use the unique pattern of scars and mutilations on a manatee's body and fluke to identify an individual manatee over time? This type of research is called the Manatee Individual Photo Identification System. The scars used to identify the manatees are primarily a result of encounters with boats; however entanglements in fishing gear, cold stress lesions, and fungal infections also can cause scarring. The records in MIPS provide insights into manatee movements, site fidelity (i.e., the tendency to return to the same location year after year), adult survival and reproductive rates, and reproductive parameters such as calving intervals (time between births) and length of calf dependency. To learn more about manatees and how you can help them, follow the @savethemanateeclub If you see a manatee in the wild, please be mindful and practice passive observation by given them their space. Manatees come into the Springs to rest and feed in the wawater. If you see a sleeping manatee like the one in this video, please do NOT disturb it. Let them rest and watch from afar. 💙Report injured or dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission @fwcresearch at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on your cell phone or send a text message to [email protected]. You can also use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio. 💙NEVER Approach, Pursue, or TOUCH manatees. They are VERY curious by nature, if you respect their space and they want to, they will approach. 💙NEVER separate a mom and her calf. 💙Do NOT disturbmanatee mating herds NEVER jump on, stand on, hold on to or ride manatees. 💙Do NOT block a manatee’s path if one or more moves toward you. Shot by me using a 📸 @gopro Hero 11 #manateeseason#manateemonday#savethemanatees#manatees#manateesleeping#manateelove#manateesofinstagram#manateesightings#roamflorida#floridasprings#wildlifephotography#seacow#seapotato#manateeencounter#pureflorida#naturelovers#lovefl#livewildyfl#marinelife#roam#earthpix#savefloridasprings#goprohero11
Did you know that scientists use the unique pattern of scars and mutilations on a manatee's body and fluke to identify an individual manatee over time? This type of research is called the Manatee Individual Photo Identification System. The scars used to identify the manatees are primarily a result of encounters with boats; however entanglements in fishing gear, cold stress lesions, and fungal infections also can cause scarring. The records in MIPS provide insights into manatee movements, site fidelity (i.e., the tendency to return to the same location year after year), adult survival and reproductive rates, and reproductive parameters such as calving intervals (time between births) and length of calf dependency. To learn more about manatees and how you can help them, follow the @savethemanateeclub If you see a manatee in the wild, please be mindful and practice passive observation by given them their space. Manatees come into the Springs to rest and feed in the wawater. If you see a sleeping manatee like the one in this video, please do NOT disturb it. Let them rest and watch from afar. 💙Report injured or dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission @fwcresearch at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on your cell phone or send a text message to [email protected]. You can also use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio. 💙NEVER Approach, Pursue, or TOUCH manatees. They are VERY curious by nature, if you respect their space and they want to, they will approach. 💙NEVER separate a mom and her calf. 💙Do NOT disturbmanatee mating herds NEVER jump on, stand on, hold on to or ride manatees. 💙Do NOT block a manatee’s path if one or more moves toward you. Shot by me using a 📸 @gopro Hero 11 #manateeseason #manateemonday #savethemanatees #manatees #manateesleeping #manateelove #manateesofinstagram #manateesightings #roamflorida #floridasprings #wildlifephotography #seacow #seapotato #manateeencounter #pureflorida #naturelovers #lovefl #livewildyfl #marinelife #roam #earthpix #savefloridasprings #goprohero11