Thanks to the coordinated work conducted by the Colombian Navy, the Magdalena Regional Autonomous Corporation – CORPAMAG, the Rodadero de Santa Marta Aquarium, together with the fishermen of the area, over the weekend rescued a disoriented manatee in Bahía Concha sector in the department of Magdalena.
The operation began when fishermen of the sector found the manatee in poor health conditions, because it was swimming with difficulties due to its low weight and some wounds on its caudal fin, for which they proceeded to inform the authorities and immediately began Rapid Reaction Units of the Santa Marta Coast Guard who, in coordination with different environmental institutions, rescued the mammal in a timely manner and transported it to the facilities of the Rodadero Aquarium to stabilize it and provide first aid.
At the moment the manatee is in recovery and rehabilitation at the Aquarium facilities, with permanent monitoring and control by the environmental authorities of the district.
It is important to note that, according to the Ministry of Environment, manatees have a low reproductive rate and their gestation period is approximately 12 months. A female has on average one brood every five years, so the specimen is classified as endangered. It is in the same way protected by Resolution 574 of 1969, which establishes a complete ban on its hunting.
The Colombian Navy is working for the protection and conservation of the environment, especially of vulnerable specimens, and will continue to strengthen the coordinated work that leads to generate environments of respect for the fauna and flora in the Colombian Caribbean.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
