Please be prepared to give information on the date, time, location, and activity of the manatee, as well as a description of the color-coded tag. Sightings from the public often help biologists locate missing animals with malfunctioning units or detached tags. The U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project in Gainesville conducts manatee tracking studies on the East Coast of Florida. Similar studies on the West Coast of Florida are being conducted by biologists with the Florida Marine Research Institute in St. Petersburg. Information gathered from this project helps identify areas of importance to manatees and helps establish appropriate protection for vulnerable habitat.
Researchers prepare a manatee for release.