West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are uncommon in the
Bahamas, including in Bimini where only three sightings have been reported in
the last century. The close proximity of the Bahamas to the United States
necessitates cooperation on many issues, including the management of protected
or listed marine mammals. An adult male manatee was observed and monitored from
28 November 2008 to 24 January 2009, enabling us to present details on this rare
occurrence and the subsequent bi-national management of this errant individual.
TBH-02 “Harold” (aka “Kodi”) was radio tagged with an Argos-linked GPS tag and
monitored for 41 days. Observations and photo documentation revealed the animal
to be in good body condition. Despite five distinctive scar patterns, no match
to previously photo-cataloged Florida or Bahamian manatees was possible.
Frequent daily GPS tag location fixes were associated with local resources
including foraging and resting areas within the North Bimini harbor, and
periodic trips to seagrass beds and canals of South
Bimini. Despite his frequent visits to specific sites, adequate
freshwater sources for drinking could not be identified. His tolerance for human
presence, multiple propeller markings, close proximity to peninsular Florida, and preliminary genetic analyses strongly
suggested an association with the Florida subspecies Trichechus manatus latirostris. Based on
evidence of a Florida origin, the rare occurrence of manatees in Bimini and an
apparent absence of conspecifics and reliable natural fresh water, the Bahamas
Department of Marine Resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service arranged capture
and transport to Florida. The US Coast Guard, Miami Seaquarium and local
volunteers conducted the capture and transport. Assessed to be in good health,
after a brief rehabilitation, he was radio tagged and released in Crystal River,
Florida. This process marks successful marine mammal stranding cooperation
between individuals, private businesses and government agencies in two
countries.