Since November 1997, scientists have radio tracked West Indian manatees
living in Belize, Central America.
Belize is located on the east coast of Central America on the Caribbean
Sea, encompassing an area of about 9000 square miles. The largest barrier
coral reef in the Western Hemisphere, measuring 185 miles in length, is
found off the coast of Belize. As you move inland, the land rises to 3000 feet above sea
level, and large areas of the country are covered by biologically diverse
tropical forests. The climate is subtropical: summer highs are rarely
above 95 degrees F, winter lows seldom below 60 degrees F. The rainy season
extends from June through August. Belize's
manatee population is estimated at between 500 and 1000 individuals.
West Indian manatees, Trichechus manatus, inhabit rivers, lagoons,
estuaries, and coastal areas of tropical and subtropical regions of the
northwest Atlantic Ocean from southeastern USA to Brazil. These large, plant-eating
marine mammals are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and as vulnerable to extinction by the World Conservation Union. To help ensure
manatee survival, scientific studies aimed at understanding their biology are needed.
Tracking the manatees is possible by attaching to the animals small UHF transmitters (PTT's). which send locations to orbiting satellites and the ARGOS tracking system or through conventional VHF transmitter beacons. They spend most of their time in the newly designated Southern Lagoon Wildlife (Manatee) Sanctuary located about 20 miles south of Belize City.
Each day the scientists process the data sent to them and prepare animal tracking maps. Maps and supporting materials are displayed on this website so that both visitors and scientists can follow the manatees as they move about their habitat. The results are expected to increase our understanding of manatee behavior and assist wildlife managers in Belize to protect and conserve these magnificent animals.
The purpose of the study is to provide information to the Belizian authorities that will assist with the development of manatee conservation and management actions. Belize is one of the most important manatee sites in the world. The research is also being used to develop practices that will ensure that ecotourism based on manatee viewing does not negatively impact this important population of manatees in Southern Lagoon. Most of the information we have on manatees is from studies conducted on Florida manatees, a separate subspecies. This study will allow us to make comparisons with what is known about Florida manatees and those that are less influenced by cold weather and disturbed by boats and development. As well, we will obtain much valuable information on manatee reproductive biology, movements and habits in their more typical tropical habitat.
The project team includes: James Powell, Mesha Gough, Alonso Aguirre, and
Kevin Andrewin and of Wildlife Trust;
Nicole Auil of the Belize Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Coastal Zone Management; Robert Bonde of the Sirenia Project
of the USGS/Biological Resources Division; staff members of the Belize Ministry of Forestry,
and
Save the Manatee Club. Charles Koontz, Wildlife Conservation Solutions,
created the original databases and project website, which are now maintained by
Moncia Ross, Wildlife Trust.
For more information about the project please contact: Dr. James A. Powell.