PACT provides money for manatees

This week, Belize’s two most famous manatees are back in the news. That’s right, Woody and Hercules, two manatee calves saved from certain death by the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute are to be the beneficiaries of a small grant from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, PACT. According to a press release from PACT, the approximately twenty-six thousand dollars will be used to track the calves, provide food, medical check-ups and keep detailed records of the mammals. Woody and Hercules were found separately off the coast of Belize City and had to be bottle-fed for months by volunteers. They were eventually released into the Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary in August 2001. Authorities hope that one day the young males will successfully integrate into the manatee population in the Southern Lagoon and fend for themselves.