The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network (DISL/MSN) is offering supporters a chance to name an adult male manatee, tagged in August 2012. Presently known as “TMA010,” he is the only unnamed tagged manatee in DISL/MSN’s network.

“TMA010” is an adult male manatee, measuring a substantial 84 inches in girth and 114 inches in length. He was captured and tagged in the Delvan Bay area of the Mobile Delta. Since then, the MSN team tracked him in Crystal River, FL in November. His key features are propeller scars on his mid to lower back and left side. Unfortunately, propeller scars are common on most manatees. One of the goals of MSN is to caution boaters about when and where manatees occur in Alabama and nearby waters to avoid injuring them.

To enter MSN’s Alabama manatee naming contest, supporters can submit their choice of name when they donate to MSN; purchase a Tacky Jack’s gift card through MSN; or buy an MSN T- shirt. Donations must be made by April 1. To get started, visit http://manatee.disl.org/

Names will be posted on MSN’s Facebook page starting April 10; you can vote for your favorite! Voting will close April 17th at 12:00am CST, and the winner will be announced on Saturday, April 20 at the DISL’s Discovery Day Open House.

The winner will receive a naming certificate, photo, fact sheet for their named manatee, and of course, the honor of naming this magnificent animal!

All donations and a portion of purchases are tax-deductible, and 100% of funds directly support MSN research and outreach programs.

DISL’s Manatee Sighting Network depends on donations, supporters and volunteers to help study and understand these endangered creatures. Please report any manatee sightings via our website http://manatee.disl.org, toll free number, 1-866-493-5803, or email, manatee@disl.org

Name “TMA010” and support the Manatee Sighting Network. Here the manatee is
being tagged near his capture site at Delvan Bay. Photo credit: Lloyd Culp.