Latke
- Tag Status
- Inactive
- Last Date Tagged
- March 26, 2024
- Gender
- Female
- Tagging Location
- Welaka, Florida
Please note: The presentation of data here does not constitute publication, and the researchers who contributed this data retain all intellectual property rights. Map created by Clearwater Marine Aquarium using Google Maps API. Data & Map © CMA. Use of this map or data without permission is prohibited without the written consent of the researcher. This map is automatically updated with new points each day. The manatee icon location point represents the most recent location received for this manatee. If the most recent point is more than two months old, then the manatee most likely lost their tag ending our ability to track their movement.
Latke’s Story
Latke was initially observed at Welaka Spring with an elevated respiration rate by a concerned citizen and her condition was later verified by Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI). She was also noted to be a sub-adult about 8.5 feet long with various signs of cold stress associated with long term exposure to colder waters. Latke was rescued from Welaka, Putnam County, Florida on December 15, 2023, by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and CMARI. She was transported to SeaWorld Orlando for critical rehabilitation care and weighed in at 800 pounds. Latke was released back to the Welaka area in the St. Johns River on March 26, 2024. CMARI tagged Latke for their Northern Atlantic Coast Manatee Study along the east coast of the United States and as part of a cooperative study with state and federal agencies to assess manatee movement and habitat use as a result of the Unusual Mortality Event.
All manatee work was conducted under USFWS Research Permit # MA37808A-2.