Manatees are the only marine mammals that are herbivores and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and reach more than 3.60 meters (10 feet) in length. . They are monogamous and typically breed once every two years, with gestation lasting 12-13 months, and the weaning process taking another 12-18 months. Nursing is accomplished with mammary glands located under their armpits, after which, they leave home and lead a solitary existence. In captivity they are fed lettuce heads, of which they can consume up to 200 per day. Their scientific name is Trichechus manatus, meaning three (Tri) and chechus (nails), also known as (“tits”) amongst the indigenous of the Caribbean.
Dissapearing at an alarming rate are some of the most gentle mammals on earth, and much of this due to man and Climate Change. These mammals belong to the Sirenia order, believed to have evolved from four-legged land mammals more than 60 million years ago. Their closest living relatives are elephants and hyraxes (jack rabbit like mammals). Their scientific name is Trichechus manatus, meaning three (Tri) and chechus (nails), also known as“tits” the indigenous of the Caribbean.
Our present trip takes us to Dolphin Discovery at Isla de Mujeres, Mexico, an enchanted little island which still retains old world charm and beauty with the prerequisite amenities for a comfortable stay. We were in the gracious company of the PR Manager Maricruz Alfaro de la Barrera and manatee trainer Alejandro, further expanding our knowledge about the habits of these gentle sea and river dwellers. These docile creatures seek out warm and safe environments, gravitating to shallow, marshy coastal areas and rivers of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Amazon basin and West Africa. Dolphin Discovery at Puerto Aventuras had the pleasure of birthing the first manatee in captivity in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. In 2008, as part of the XXXVI Annual Convention of the International Marine Animal Trainers (IMATA), Dolphin Discovery broke old myths about manatee behavior, demonstrating that learning was accomplished much faster than previously known, she said as we were heading to Isla de Mujeres, about a 30 minute boat ride from Cancun.
Dolphin Discovery began their training program with manatees in 2001 when they received two stranded manatees (Trichechus manatus) at its facility in Puerto Aventuras.
Bill & Yndie with Dolphin Discovery's PR Manager Maricruz Alfaro de la Barrera and trainer Alejandro Mata
Dolphin Discovery at Puerto Aventuras had the pleasure of birthing the first manatee in captivity in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. In 2008, as part of the XXXVI Annual Convention of the International Marine Animal Trainers (IMATA), Dolphin Discovery broke old myths about manatee behavior, demonstrating that learning was accomplished much faster than previously known.
While information on general care of manatees was available, there was little information on their training. Their slow nature and non-aggressiveness led the coaching staff to believe that animals learn much slower than the dolphins, and training would take longer. This preconception guided them to go slow and very methodical in their first attempts at training. "Over time we learned that manatees are smarter than they appear and we adjusted our training techniques with measurable results," said Alejandro Mata, training supervisor at Dolphin Discovery. The arrival of new manatees in 2007 gave the coaching staff an opportunity to apply what they learned and compare the rate of learning with the original manatees’. Silvia Becerra, trainer of Dolphin Discovery said: "What we learned was our first manatees were not slow learners, it was the teachers. Note that Dolphin Discovery is the only place in the world with interactive swimming with manatees, created not only to entertain guests, but to create awareness for the respect and protection of these beautiful marine mammals.
MORE FINDINGS ABOUT MANATEES
Often they will congregate near power plants, enjoying the warmer water and forgetting about the natural migration that occurs with seasonal changes. This has now become a problem when the plants close, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking ways to warm the waters. The manatees’, (Trichechus manatus) of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Ocean, cannot survive in water less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, due to their low metabolic rate. They can move easily within salinity extremes but require fresh water for proper osmoregulation.
The manatees's main predators are sharks, alligators, crocodiles, orcas and man, with his outboard motors, inflicting lacerations to its back, sometimes eviscerating them and leading to death. Some manatees are now recognized by the distribution and number of scars on their backs. Manatees hear on higher frequencies, and most large boats emit lower frequencies, somehow resulting in the two coming more in contact with each other, to the detriment of the manatee. When faced with higher frequencies, manatees immediately head in the other direction, sensing danger. As manatees’ need to surface every 20 minutes, fishing nets now pose a big drowning hazard, and lastly the swallowing of non-organic matter, ie, plastic bottles. Manatee hunting predates Christopher Columbus. Native Americans used the hides for making canoes, shoes and shields and their bones for “special potions”.
Latest reports from Florida in 2009 note that there was a major decline in manatees from 2008, despite more public awareness, and predictions look even more dire for 2010. In an age where the loss of creatures exhibiting non-aggressive behavior and kindness to humans is diminishing, one wonders whether this portends a gloomy forecast for man in general. Could society somehow be losing a balance, one we're not aware of, but exists nevertheless?
Bill Milligan and Yndiana Montes are grateful to OVC Cancun and Dolphin Discovery for arranging the interaction with manatees at Dolphin Discovery Cancun- Isla de Mujeres.
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