Ranger Wayne's Field Notes
From: Ranger Wayne Hartley Season Summary: 25 January 1999 What a season! The manatees set a record for late arrival, 15 December 1998. The latest they had been before was 7 December several years ago. As a result with the Christmas holidays and the Manatee Festival coming so quickly I don't have them sorted out completely yet. I know I have a record number. I'm using a conservative estimate of 110 right now. I would rather add a couple to the record than subtract. I have shot and developed thirty rolls of slides and when I get a chance to look at them I will be able to make the final decisions on who is really new or returned. I can say that we have a new record of ten calves for the season. Lilly has a calf that just like her last one doesn't stay around her much. Is it hers or is it not? Decided it was. Same question with Success but a different answer. Success has adopted a foster son that is undoubtedly a yearling with some serious but not life-threatening injuries. Phyllis looked in eight and one half months after giving birth to Phire in the spring boil and Phire was no longer with her. That, it is generally agreed, is not good. I may have to call Phire dead. ![]() During the year two were killed by boats within ten miles of the park, Shane and Tiffany. The animal rescued with cold stress last January died at Sea World after appearing to be recovering well. Not uncommon with cold stress. Two other Blue Spring numbered animals were discovered to have died in past years, Hector, boat kill 1984 and Polk, manmade object ingestion in 1997. The first at Daytona Beach and the second in Indian River Lagoon. Georgia is back with Peaches and will remain tagged until she weans him. She can still be a pain trying to get to people but she is 90% better and may become a real manatee yet! Note: after my reports to Journey North were in, Georgia gave birth to Peaches on 6 May and has been an excellent mother. Ranger Wayne Hartley
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