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At Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USGS scientists and their partners have conducted manatee radio tagging and capture events for the past three years to assess manatee health and provide baseline biological information. These tagging and capture events involve a range of tests such as weighing, blood sampling, measuring the manatee’s length from snout to tail, and taking small skin samples for genetic analyses. The data gathered from the assessments reveal movement patterns and identification of significant habitats, reproduction, survival, population status and trends, and overall population structure.


For more information visit Florida Integrated Science Center's Healthy Springs, Healthy Manatees highlight, download the center's Manatee Captures and Health Assessment handout (PDF, 1339 KB) , and contact Robert K. Bonde, Florida Integrated Science Center.