Another five manatees fitted with GPS transmitters are being tracked in Georgia, the second year of a project providing valuable insight into how these rare mammals use estuarine waters near Kings Bay submarine base and along the rest of Georgia's coast. The health of the manatees is also being documented.

Wildlife agencies and organizations from Georgia and Florida teamed up May 2-3 to net the manatees, collect samples, fit the animals with satellite devices and return them unharmed to Cumberland Sound.

The five are the second group tagged in a multi-year effort to:

• Map the endangered species' movements near Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
  
• Document migratory paths and habitat use in the Southeast.
  
• Collect baseline data to help assess manatee health.

Partners include the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Aquarium, Sea to Shore Alliance and U.S. Navy, along with other agencies and organizations that helped capture, assess and release the animals.

The manatees tracked since last summer have produced surprises, such as frequently traveling in small creeks in addition to the Intracoastal Waterway.

• Read today's news release.
  
• See photos and video of the project.
  
• Help conserve Georgia wildlife.
  
• Learn about wildlife conservation in our state.

If you see a tagged manatee, report it to Georgia DNR by calling 1-800-2-SAVE-ME (800-272-8363). Note the time, date, location, color of the tag and whether any other manatees are present. Do not chase, touch or otherwise harass the manatee, or touch the tag. The tag is harmless to the animal.

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