Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Manatees in Danger

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

GUATEMALA CITY, May 16 2005 (IPS) - A reduced population of manatees (Trichechus manatus) is in danger of extinction due, among other factors, to destructive human activities in the ecosystems of the Guatemalan Caribbean. José Luis López, an expert with the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), sounded the alarm by revealing that a study found that the population of this marine mammal barely reaches a hundred in the area.

López explained to Tierramérica that the situation of the manatee is critical and has negative effects on the marine ecosystem because this mammal feeds on the algae that can be dangerous for other species.

CONAP is coordinating actions with the Mesoamerican Reef System to raise awareness and train residents in the region about preserving this species of gentle, slow-moving sea mammals, which average 10 feet long and a weight of 1,000 pounds as adults.

The Mesoamerican Reef System promotes the use of local natural resources for sustainable development of a million residents along the Atlantic coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras as a means to protect the extended reef system.