Innovative AI Technique Enhances Real-Time Tracking of Manatees

Researchers develop a cost-effective AI method to count manatees, aiding conservation efforts.

Ecology & Science

The conservation of endangered species receives a technological boost as scientists at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) devise an artificial intelligence (AI) method that accurately counts manatee populations in real-time. 

Counting challenges and AI solution 

Counting manatees has long presented a challenge due to their herding behaviour, weather conditions, time of day and environmental factors that obscure their visibility. Water reflections can also hinder the counting process. 

Manatees Up for Protection

Manatees may soon be classified as “Endangered,” as federal wildlife authorities review their status, following a petition submitted by environmental organizations.

Ecology & Science

Federal wildlife authorities are re-evaluating the classification of manatees, a move prompted by mounting issues, most notably the devastating loss of seagrass, a critical food source for these gentle marine creatures.

A Long-Overdue Review

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced its intention to revisit the categorization of manatees, contemplating a return from “threatened” to “endangered.” This potential reversal would overturn the 2017 decision to reclassify manatees.

Listening in on manatees can determine population numbers

Individual manatees can be identified by their voices; and this can facilitate their conservation, according to a new study.

West Indies manatees
Ecology & Science

To successfully conserve and restore manatee populations, scientists need to know how many of them there are in a specific habitat. This isn’t always easy to find out, particularly in the Bocas del Toro province in Panama, where Antillean manatees live in turbid brackish waters, covered by thick aquatic vegetation.

Other methods, like aerial and sonar surveys, and infrared cameras, present logistical challenges and can be costly.

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Seeking the Dugong in Marsa Alam

Many years ago, whilst learning to scuba dive, I came across an article on manatees and dugongs. I was entranced. Not only were they cute, according to the article, they loved hugging divers, and once they held on to you, they did not want to let you go. The image of this human-hugging, underwater teddy bear remained with me and I was determined that one day, I would find one and hug it.

Words:
Kate Jonker
Images:
Travel & Trips

I started to research these creatures and discovered that manatees and dugongs were not actually the same animal. Although they belong to the same family (Sirenia), they are actually quite different.

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How I Got the Shot

Florida manatees are an endangered species found in the rivers, springs and ocean around the state of Florida in the United States. By far, one of the best places to encounter these gentle giants is at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, a state park filled with crystal clear blue water, perfect for capturing imagery of this sometimes curious and playful species.

Words:
Amanda Cotton
Images:
Photo & Video

Under special permit, underwater photographers are allowed to enter the water with camera in hand to photograph manatees within the state park. Strict regulations are in place to protect the manatees from harassment and abuse as they move into the spring head area to rest and to keep their young warm, as temperatures fall in the winter months.

 

Many times, manatees will approach swimmers and photographers alike, as this species can be quite playful. With a friendly and outgoing manatee, the photography opportunities are endless.

Florida power plant closures may evict manatees

Some 60% of population utilize plants for refuge during winter

Ecology & Science

If current indicators follow suit, a large percentage Florida’s manatees may soon need a new winter home. Over the next 10-20 years, the state’s coal-fired power plants are expected to close. As 60 percent of the manatee population utilize the plants for refuge during winter, many will be forced to move to the natural springs such as those on the Crystal River. The springs’ constant 74-degree temperatures could soon be overcrowded with the gentle giants.

Environmentalists demand end to manatee interaction

Environmental group in Florida seeks to prevent people from swimming with manatees in a bid to minimize harassment of these mammals.

Ecology & Science

The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has filed a Notice of Intent to Sue the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to end the popular swim-with programs by disallowing people to swim within 10 feet of the manatees. In addition, it recommends the expansion of no-human access areas and to designate the entire Kings Bay, Three Sisters Springs and Homosassa Springs as critical manatee habitats.

These proposals do not sit well with some people.

Environmentalists demand end to manatee interaction

The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has filed a Notice of Intent to Sue the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to end the popular swim-with programs by disallowing people to swim within 10 feet of the manatees.

Ecology & Science

In addition, it recommends the expansion of no-human access areas and to designate the entire Kings Bay, Three Sisters Springs and Homosassa Springs as critical manatee habitats.

These proposals do not sit well with some people.

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Florida Manatees: Sirenians of Crystal River

A winter’s dawn is a special time to be on Kings Bay, for as the first rays of the Florida sun appear over the horizon, they light up the soft mist on the warm waters of the bay and create an ethereal, almost mystical, feeling. Listen carefully and you will hear the gentle ripples from the swirl pools formed by the paddle-like tails of the sirenians, as they make their way towards the freshwater springs that are the source of Crystal River. Look closely into the dark waters ahead of those swirl pools and you will see the large and unmistakable sausage-like shape of the Florida manatee.

Words:
Don Silcock
Images:
Travel & Trips
Ecology & Science

The arrival of the manatees usually coincides with a rising tide and heralds their return from feeding on the sea grass of Kings Bay and Crystal River. Cold and tired, they need the warmth of the spring waters to restore their body temperature as they sleep in the natural and man-made refuges of the area. This area of the Florida peninsula in Citrus County, on the western side of the state that is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, is without doubt the best place in the world to experience the unique and singularly exceptional Florida manatee.

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Crystal River

I once had a cat that approached me exactly like that. Coming right at me, top of the head first until … bump … “scratch me!” It then slowly rolled over onto its back to blissfully enjoy a good belly-rub.

Only this ‘kitty’ was a 2000-pounder, with flippers instead of paws, but still, unmistakably cute and cuddly. A close encounter with the docile manatee leaves no one untouched. These gentle giants seem friendly and curious, as they seek out close contact with humans.

Words:
Peter Symes
Images:
Travel & Trips

Okay, so this undersigned descendant of the Vikings, who crossed the Atlantic in open boats, was a woos. I just don’t like to be cold all right? And neither do the manatees, it seems, which is why they congregate in this relatively small area of Kings Bay each year.

 

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