Public Asked to Look Out for Orphaned Manatee Calf

Jamal Galves

The Program Coordinator for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute says that they are concerned about the orphaned manatee calf that remains exposed to the potential dangers after this mother manatee’s death.

Jamal Galves, Program Coordinator, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute

“After careful assessment the team identified that the animal was lactating, it was producing milk, so the concern is that there is an orphan calf somewhere out there in need or rescuing. So we are pleading to the public, people that are traversing, walking, exercising or on boat within that area within the Marine Parade and the Drown Caye area to be on the lookout for a lone calf and if spotted if they can immediately report it to the Fisheries Department or the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute so that we can try our best to rescue and provide the much needed care for the calf if it is that case. A calf is very dependent on its mother for survival. The mother provides sustenance in the form of milk; they don’t have any teeth at that age so they will take milk from their mother.  The mother teaches the calf where to go to shelter, where to go to get fresh water. So everything that that calf knows is taught by its mother so being separated from its mother presents a significant hurdle for this calf to climb and now it is dependent on us human beings to intervene and try to provide the best possible care and give this calf another opportunity at life.”
This is the second manatee to be killed since the beginning of the year, which compared to the stats from previous years, is an improvement. But with the resurgence of the tourism industry and more activities on the water, Jamal Galves fears that more deaths are coming.