Research

Manatee World, Inc. is continuously researching various methods for protecting the manatees from one of their greatest threats to survival - the often fatal injuries inflicted by a boat propeller. The photo below is one of Manatee World's tour boats equipped with a propeller guard. The prop guard protects the manatee from injurious contact with the boat's propeller.

Alternative methods are continuously being investigated in an effort to protect the manatee from its only known enemy - man. Currently, a sonar device is being considered that emits high frequency sounds. It is believed that manatees are unable to hear the low pitched sounds of a boat's engine and consequently do not get out of harm's way.

Manatee World, Inc. worked with Certified Slings of Fort Myers to design and develop a special sling for moving injured/deceased manatees from the water. This sling is attached to a forklift and then used to gently lift the manatee from the water and place it in the transport vehicle.

The sling, which is under the manatee, is removed from the forklift and goes with the manatee to the treatment facility. The sling is then cleaned and returned to Manatee World, Inc. This is one of the ways that Manatee World, Inc. has worked to make the rescue/retrieval of the endangered manatees less stressful and more humane.

Due to a generous grant award received in the year 2000, Manatee World, Inc. was able to purchase rescue nets. These rescue nets used to capture "distressed" manatees provide us the capability to respond to medical emergencies in an efficient and timely fashion. As with any serious injury or illness, time is of the essence. Prior to this purchase, the nearest rescue nets were located 200 miles away and rescues were postponed until that equipment could arrive.

Listen to the manatees and watch our slide show