Transaction Description:
2024 PRESCOTT PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: F24AS00186PROJECT TITLE: INCREASED CAPACITY AND MENTORSHIP FOR MANATEE REHABILITATION AT THE BISHOP MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND NATUREPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: VIRGINIA EDMONDS 941-216-3466, VEDMONDS@BISHOPSCIENCE.ORGPROJECT DURATION DATES OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES: AUGUST 2024 THROUGH JULY 2025PRESCOTT GRANT PROGRAM CATEGORY: BTHE 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 TWO FUNDING PRIORITIES SPECIFIC TO WEST INDIAN MANATEES:FOR WEST INDIAN MANATEES (FLORIDA SUB-SPECIES), FUNDING WILL BE PRIORITIZED FOR PROJECTS ADDRESSING ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS: 1.IMPROVE OR UPGRADE TRANSPORT FOR LIVE MANATEES, INCLUDING RESCUE TRUCKS, BOATS, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. 2.PROVIDE CONTINGENCY SUPPORT FOR MANATEE CARE, RESCUE TRANSPORT RESPONSE, AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED PARTNERS. 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. A PHASE OF THIS RENOVATION IS COMPLETE WITH ONE POOL IN THE LIFE SUPPORT TESTING PERIOD. ON 29 FEBRUARY 2024, THE BISHOP RECEIVED TWO MANATEES TRANSFERRED FROM ZOOTAMPA. WITH THIS TRANSFER, THE BISHOP ASSISTED IN OPENING CRITICAL CARE SPACE FOR THE ZOO AND BROUGHT ITS FIRST POOL ONLINE AT THE MYAKKA SITE. AS WELL AS ASSISTING WITH CAPACITY, THE MYAKKA FACILITY SERVES AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR MRP PARTNER INSTITUTIONS. IN THE BRIEF TWO WEEKS THAT IT HAS HOUSED MANATEES, THE BISHOP HAS HOSTED NINE CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM (A FEDERALLY PERMITTED ORGANIZATION) REHABILITATION STAFF TO LEARN MANATEE HUSBANDRY AND BEHAVIOR. UNIQUE TO THE FACILITY IS HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTSIDE STAFF TO VISIT AND STAY FOR MULTIPLE DAYS, INCREASING CONSISTENCY AND REPETITION WHICH ARE CRITICAL FOR LEARNING. ANY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MANATEE CARE AND BEHAVIOR IN ADVANCE OF RECEIVING MANATEES, IS A BENEFIT FOR THE STAFF AND THE ANIMALS.WE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF MANATEES IN OUR CARE, ALL OF WHICH ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RETURN TO THE WILD. AS WE PREPARE MANATEES FOR RELEASE, WE PROVIDE OPTIMAL NUTRITION THAT INCLUDES 5 TYPES OF PRODUCE AND AT A MINIMUM, 10% OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT. THE GOAL IS TO HELP YOUNG MANATEES GROW AND LEARN BEHAVIORS NEEDED FOR SURVIVAL IN THE WILD. THIS CLEARS SPACE FOR HOSPITALS THAT ARE OFTEN OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF A TRANSPORT TRUCK BUILD. ONCE AVAILABLE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO INCLUDE OUR SUPPORT OF MANATEE TRANSPORT FOR RESCUE, TRANSFER, OR RELEASE. EQUIPMENT IS BEING REQUESTED FOR TRANSPORT AND TO PROVIDE ENHANCED ASSISTANCE WITH VERIFICATION. 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 IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT AND SERVES ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE ATTENDING VETERINARIAN IS THE CURRENT CO-CHAIR OF THE VETERINARY COMMITTEE AND PARTICIPATES IN MANY COMMITTEES. THE MANATEE REHABILITATION HABITAT AT THE MUSEUM FEATURES A 60,000-GALLON POOL AND EXHIBIT AREA WHERE ANIMAL CARE STAFF INTERACT WITH MUSEUM VISITORS. THE EXPANSION FACILITY RENOVATION HAS OPENED A POOL AND IS HOUSING ITS FIRST MANATEES. 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 TRANSPOR