Jim Reid's Final Visuals on the Tracked Manatees (April 2003) During the week of April 21-25, Jim Reid was in the field and he was able to get visuals on all the manatees being tracked this season, except Tipper. But for Tipper, other scientists were able to get visuals on her and all is well so far. Here is the full information from Jim. Santina: Jim found Santina twice this week - once near the mouth of Sandfly Pass, travelling alone, and a second time with a group of manatees. Actual: Jim was delighted to find Actual with her large calf, feeding in the grass flats behind Round Key. This shallow area is only accessible to manatees at high tide. Jim was there when the depth had reached about 1.5 meters. There were six other manatees with Actual and her calf, all feeding on the seagrasses. Actual's calf should be weaned this summer. Anna: Jim found Anna by herself in an area she often uses, Gullivan Key. She was feeding on the seagrass Thalassia testudinum and looked fine. Gulliver: When Jim located Gulliver he was in a mangrove bay on the south side of Fakahatchee Bay. This is a very hard area to access by boat, but a good area for manatees to avoid boat traffic (and manatee researchers, e.g. Jim :-). He was feeding on the seagrass Halodule wrightii. Tipper: Unfortunately, Jim did not get a visual on Tipper this trip. However, satellite data indicate that she continues to use very specific areas in Placida harbor and the nearby residential canals. Our colleagues with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have periodically gotten visuals on her and report she is doing well, despite her presence in a high incidence area for "red tide". Copyright 2003 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form