Name: Marco Released: February 2007 Data Map

Biography: Marco is a male manatee that was rescued as an orphan with shark bites in Marco Island, Collier County on 5/2/04. He was 121 cm in length and weight 73 lbs. Marco was taken to Miami Seaquarium to recover from his wounds, grow and gain weight. Marco was released on 2/16/07 at Warm Mineral Springs with two other rehabilitated manatees. Marco was 243 cm in length and weighed 935 lbs on the day of his release.

Field Notes:

2/25/07:
Has stayed close to Warm Mineral Spring since release. Has been seen in Corsica basin and has been observed socializing frequently.

3/1/07:
Marco tag was recovered today just down from the release site at Warm Mineral Spring. The tether broke at the weak link and was entangled around an underwater branch. We will commence sonic tracking with the hopes of getting him retagged.

6/14/07:
In order to locate this off-line individual, the following efforts are in effect:

• A sonic buoy was deployed in the Myakka River ; there have been no hits since early April.
  
  
• There is weekly sonic tracking throughout the area.
  
  
• A press release requesting help from the public was put out approximately two weeks ago in Charlotte , Lee and Sarasota Counties , with no reported sightings to date.