Manatee Tracking

At the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in August, a crew including DNR, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and other partners caught manatees ODare and SammyG, checked their health and fitted each with a GPS-linked satellite transmitter before easing them back into the murky water. Hopefully this will help reveal how sea cows navigate the massive Port of Savannah.

DNR senior wildlife biologist Clay George said the data could pinpoint risks and lead to improved protections for the federally protected mammals in one of the world’s busiest ports. More than 20 manatees have been found dead there from vessel collisions since 2000.

Manatees migrate from Florida to Georgia from spring into fall. The draw? Warming waters and abundant marsh grass along with other food sources.

DNR, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium began tracking the animals in 2015 near Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. The recent move from St. Marys to Savannah targeted manatees that migrate farther north to provide a clearer picture of their travel patterns, habitat use, health and threats. In all, more than 30 manatees have been tagged.

Now researchers – and the public – can see where ODare and SammyG go by visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s manatee tracking page (bit.ly/CMA_manatees). Each manatee is listed, along with information about the animal, and a map showing its movements. Above, ODare, a female manatee, and below, SammyG, a male, both 10 feet long, were located and tagged in the Savannah River in early August.

FOLLOW

To follow ODare and SammyG, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium manatee tracking page at: bit.ly/CMA_ manatees