Design and Construction of a Tethered, Floating Radio-Tag Assembly for Manatees

摘要

One of the major problems in gaining a better understanding of the movements and ecology of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) has been the difficulty in effectively attaching any kind of telemetry device, or mark, to their streamlined bodies (see review by Packard, 1984). Because manatees are endangered and protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, the development of a method of attaching radio-tags has been deliberately cautious and slow. The report is a description of the design and construction of the floating radio-tag attachment currently used on manatees in Florida. In the format of an instruction manual, it includes detailed procedures for assembling the peduncle belt, tether, and floating radio-transmitter. Parts and materials and names of manufacturers are listed in appendices. Techniques used in applying the tag to manatees also are included, after the instructions. A final section discusses the general performance of the different components of the assembly.