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Manatee Migration Update: February 3, 1999
Today's Report Includes:
- Introducing Our 1999 Manatees & Our Manatee Scientists
- Challenge Questions #1 and #2
- Today's Satellite Migration Data
- Gentle Giants
- How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions
Introducing Our 1999 Manatees & Our Manatee Scientists
"We're anxiously watching where these manatees travel as we move toward springtime! Follow along with us as we radio-track and study manatees in Florida", writes Sirenia Project scientist Cathy Beck.
For the third year in a row, Cathy and her fellow scientists, Jim Reid and Bob
Bonde, have generously agreed to share their manatee satellite data and expertise.
You'll be able to study actual manatee migrations right along with the scientists!
Here's more information from Cathy about the manatees you'll be tracking:
"This year we will be sharing tracking data for four manatees. We have known
two of these manatees for quite a while, a female "Knicky" and a male "Jeb".
The other two are wild manatees that were just tagged in the Homosassa River on Florida's
west coast on January 26, a female "Dmitra" and a male "Ivan".
As the season progresses we may have more manatees for you to follow! We'll certainly
let you know, and thank you for your interest in these beautiful and unique endangered
mammals."
Up Close
To learn more about our Manatee Scientists Cathy, Jim and Bob up close, take a look
at the background information on them:
Tracking the Fab Four
It's
time to take your first look at the satellite migration data for Knicky, Jeb, Dmitra
and Ivan, which is provided below.Start your research today by plotting the movements of each manatee on a map, using locations and dates. Next, see if you can answer these Challenge Questions:
Challenge Question #1:
"Plot Knicky's travels since Nov 23, 1998. Carefully describe WHERE and WHEN she traveled. Now try to figure out and describe WHY she traveled where she did, when she did"
Challenge Question #2:
"What do you learn by comparing the data for Dmitra and Ivan? What do you think is going on here?"
(To respond
to these Challenge Questions, please follow the instructions at the end of this report.)
Today's Satellite Migration Data and Backgrounds
(Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey's Sirenia Project)
- Go to Satellite Data Table for Knicky
- Go to Satellite Data Table for Jeb
- Go to Satellite Data Table for Dmitra
- Go to Satellite Data Table for Ivan
Suggestions for Student Research
Remember that this data gives you a rare opportunity to conduct your own scientific
research. For some ideas on developing your own research topics with this data, take
a look at:
Gentle Giants
What
other large mammal do you think is a close relative of the manatee? For the answer
to this question and general background information about the endangered Florida
Manatee go to:
How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions
Please answer ONLY ONE question in each e-mail message!:
1. Address an E-mail message to: jn-challenge-manatee@learner.org
2. IMPORTANT: In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 1 (OR # 2)
3. In the body of the EACH message, give your answer to ONE of the questions above.
The Next Manatee Migration Update will Be Posted on February 17, 1999.
Copyright 1999 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form
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