Female Manatee Freed from Fishing Gear

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Belize rescued a manatee that was entangled in fishing gear. The manatee was first spotted dragging a boat bumper off the coast of Dangriga on January eighteenth. After a week of searching for the animal, it was located just north of the mouth of the Sittee River on Monday.  Manatee Conservationist Jamal Galvez of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and a team successfully freed the female manatee. The rescuers discovered that the manatee had a large fishing hook lodged inside its mouth, as well as a wound on its right flipper.  The team successfully removed the hook, cleaned and treated the wounds. The manatee’s injuries were evaluated, and its health and biometrics were recorded. It measured two hundred and sixty-four centimeters in length and was in good physical condition. Injuries were not life-threatening, so she was released in the immediate area where she was rescued. The manatee was pit tagged for future identification.