A released manatee sports a tracking device. An important part of manatee research is to determine animal movements and critical habitat.
Researchers monitor manatees by using tracking devices.
The tracking device is a transmitter encased in a floating tube. The tag assembly doesn't harm the manatee or affect their freedom of movement, and it is designed to come off it gets entangled. Viewed from above the water, the radio tag looks somewhat like a floating soda can with a straw. It is about a foot and a half long and slightly larger than the diameter of a tin can. It floats about five feet behind the manatee, attached to the tether.