Gulfport institute studying manatee deaths
The Associated PressPublished: Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 7:55 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 7:55 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 7:55 a.m.
The recent deaths of two manatees in northern Gulf of Mexico waters are being studied by staffers at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport.
One manatee was found dead in Mobile Bay on Christmas day. The other was found alive near Moss Point in the Pascagoula River, but died as it was being taken to the institute.
Researchers and volunteers worked for around five hours Wednesday, performing a Necropsy on the second manatee found.
"These animals are extremely endangered. There are very few left, and this year we've had twice as many die than in previous years," said IMMS Executive Director Dr. Moby Solangi.
The necropsy should confirm what the vets at IMMS believe, that the cause of death was cold weather.
Veterinarian Connie Chevis told WLOX television that the manatees should have migrated to warmer waters but may have been lost or too weak to move.
"Their GI tract will shut down, and it will kill them if they stay in those lower temperatures."
Researchers say that this time of year manatees are usually found in warmer waters off the coast of Florida.
According to the IMMS director, shrinking habitats and environmental changes could be the reason the animals were so far from Florida.
"They move from Florida areas, and we've seen them as far as Louisiana. They're looking for habitats, looking for areas where they can find safety," said Solangi.
Now researches say they will keep a close eye out for any other stragglers in the area
Researchers and volunteers worked for around five hours Wednesday, performing a Necropsy on the second manatee found.
"These animals are extremely endangered. There are very few left, and this year we've had twice as many die than in previous years," said IMMS Executive Director Dr. Moby Solangi.
The necropsy should confirm what the vets at IMMS believe, that the cause of death was cold weather.
Veterinarian Connie Chevis told WLOX television that the manatees should have migrated to warmer waters but may have been lost or too weak to move.
"Their GI tract will shut down, and it will kill them if they stay in those lower temperatures."
Researchers say that this time of year manatees are usually found in warmer waters off the coast of Florida.
According to the IMMS director, shrinking habitats and environmental changes could be the reason the animals were so far from Florida.
"They move from Florida areas, and we've seen them as far as Louisiana. They're looking for habitats, looking for areas where they can find safety," said Solangi.
Now researches say they will keep a close eye out for any other stragglers in the area
The one in Pascagoula river was dead and the one in Mobile bay was alive but died.why cant people get shit straight before they post on the internet?
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