The bishop museum of science and nature, INC., a private nonprofit organization, has participated in the manatee rehabilitation network since 1998 and commits significant resources annually to…

The bishop museum of science and nature, INC., a private nonprofit organization, has participated in the manatee rehabilitation network since 1998 and commits significant resources annually to staffing, facilities care, equipment, medical care and food for rehabilitating manatees. We were a founding member of the manatee rescue and rehabilitation partnership (MRP) in 2001. This funding request supports three funding priorities specific to west indian manatees in the southeast US.1.transport for live manatees that will directly or indirectly support response efforts along the atlantic coast, including rescue trucks, boats, and associated equipment 2.provide contingency support for manatee care and rescue transport response in conjunction with other federally authorized partners 3.enhance post-release monitoring of survival for individuals released from rehabilitation or on-site from strandings (e.g., satellite tags and argos support).we also provide a variety of public education programs about manatees, their habitat, natural history and the reasons they come into rehabilitation. In 2022, USFWS and florida fish and wildlife conservation commission asked the bishop to expand its manatee rehabilitation program and we are doing so by renovating a nearby facility. This expansion increases overall capacity of the statewide manatee rehabilitation network by up to 10 , providing resources for both critical emergency care and long-term care of manatees. Additionally, we are purchasing a customized manatee transport truck (funded separately in 2022) and expect IT to be operational this year. We care for and prepare manatees for release, providing optimal nutrition and helping young manatees grow and learn behaviors needed to successfully return to the wild. This clears space at hospitals that are often operating at full capacity, which is especially important due to the unusual mortality event affecting manatees on the atlantic coast. The museum is the only stage 2 facility on floridas west coast. The MRP works as a cooperative of agencies, organizations, and oceanaria to rescue, rehabilitate, and release manatees. The group operates via committee structure to share information, create plans and make decisions and the bishop is active at all levels. The bishops director of animal care and attending veterinarian participate in many committees and are among the most experienced professionals in the network. The manatee rehabilitation habitat at the museum features a 60,000 gallon pool and exhibit area where educational presentations are given to museum visitors. The expansion facility renovation is nearly complete and we expect to receive our first manatees in the next few months. The facility consists of seven pools of varying size, configuration and depth. There will be no revenue generated by this program expansion as IT is not at the main museum location and will not be made public. The bishop is permitted for critical care, holding, verification and transport. Our role is to care for and prepare manatees for release, helping young manatees grow or adult manatees recover from injury or illness before release. We are requesting 150,000 to support the purchase of equipment for the post-release monitoring of two manatees, animal care staff time and veterinary services. This funding will allow US to work with the MRP to maximize the number of manatee facilities offering critical care, the number of facilities providing transport assistance for rescues and transfers between facilities, and the number manatees monitored post-release in addition to providing public outreach and education about manatees.