Manatee survey complete
Alhtough the tapir is Belize’s national animal, anyone who has seen a manatee up close can’t help feeling that perhaps this friendly, docile creature who blows a puff of air at you and then sinks back underwater actually deserves the honor. Yet despite increasing awareness about the manatee, it continues to be hunted for food or fall victim to boating accidents. This morning researchers met with the Minister of Environment and others who need information about Belize’s manatees in their continuing effort to preserve these gentle mammals and their habitat.
The manatee of Belize is listed as endangered and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of Belize. A research project called the Belize Manatee Recovery Plan made its discoveries public this morning. Belize is the first country in Central America and the second in the Caribbean to embark on such a project. Nicole Auil of Coastal Zone Management told us more about the surveys conducted.
Nicole Auil, Manatee Researcher
“In 1997 we had four aerial surveys conducted in the rainy and dry seasons and transitional. They were rather hectic surveys of the entire country which we did in three days. We split the country into north, south and central. We chartered an aircraft from one of the local agencies in Belize. We had four people; three were observers. One sat right behind the pilot. I mostly dealt with making sure that everything was flowing smoothly.”
Auil says that manatees are now being sought for food by many and one of the ways to combat that problem would be to closely monitor all manatee habitat and to identify primary manatee areas which have the availability of fresh water and vegetation. These large, seal like creatures, with thick wrinkled skin really mean no harm. One person who is in full support of manatees in Belize is the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment.
John Briceño, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment
“Most importantly in the long-term, I believe that the most effective weapon against the illegal poaching of the manatees is to invest in education and training, instill different attitudes and values in the mind of our children, youth and adults. They should know about resource conservation, be aware of the laws protecting wildlife and of the reasons for such regulations and most of all help in controlling our national heritage.”
While we might be thinking about the adult manatees weighing almost three thousand pounds, we also need to worry about the calves. In the rainy season the maximum spotted was in August with the fewest seen in December. In the dry season the maximum number spotted in April and the minimum seen in January.
The Belize Manatee Recovery Plan includes a four-year schedule of recommended activities designed to help meet the overall goals of preventing the species decline and eventual extinction, as well as ensuring in habitat quality. Hyacinth Latchman for News Five.
Today’s meeting was held at the Radisson Fort George Hotel.
