ECOMAR
  • Welcome
    • About >
      • Site Map
      • COMMUNITIES
      • Partners
      • Blog
    • Links >
      • Classroom Tools
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Research Station
    • Research Trips
    • St George's Caye
    • Marine Research >
      • Conch
      • Dolphins
      • Fish
      • Manatees >
        • Manatees 2017
        • Manatee ID >
          • Delfina
      • Sea Turtles >
        • Gallow's Point >
          • Turtles Gallows Pt
          • Rhody Hope Majil
          • Hope 4 Nature
        • Robinson Point
        • Hope 4 Freya
    • Archaeology Project >
      • SGCAP 2016
      • SGCAP 2015
  • Turtle Watch
    • Sea Turtle Census >
      • Nesting Beach Observations
      • In-Water Observations >
        • Photo ID
        • Turtle Recaptures
      • Stranded Sea Turtles >
        • Stranded Turtles 2010-2012
      • Illegal Take
    • Sea Turtle 101 >
      • Species
      • Life History
      • Anatomy
      • Threats
    • Satellite Telemetry >
      • Tracking NOW
      • Historical Tracks >
        • Historical Lighthouse
    • Outreach Materials >
      • Turtle Watch Newsletters
    • Turtle Network >
      • In-Water Scientific Surveys
      • Sea Turtle Rehab
      • BSTCN Members
  • Coral Watch
    • Coral Bleaching 101 >
      • Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coral
      • Remote Sensing
    • Coral Watch Publications
    • Coral Network >
      • Coral Members
  • Lionfish
    • Lionfish Served Here!
    • History in Belize >
      • GCFI Fisherman Exchange
      • COMPACT Lionfish Project
    • Lionfish Publications
    • Caribbean Strategies >
      • Culling Protocol >
        • Bermuda Lionfish
  • Marine Life
    • Marine Life Reports
    • Submit Marine Life Report
  • Ocean Watch
    • Manatee Deaths >
      • Manatee Facts
    • Climate Change
    • Oil Exploration
    • Ciguatera
    • Haulover Creek
    • Wildlife Interactions
  • Whale Watch
    • Sightings >
      • False Killer Whales
      • Humpback Whale Sightings
      • Killer Whale Sightings
    • Whale Stamps
    • Marine Mammal Workshop >
      • Management Considerations
      • Interaction Guidelines >
        • Vessels & Approaches
        • Swimming With
    • Marine Mammal Rescue
  • Get Involved
    • Adopt A Beach >
      • Adopted Beaches
    • Adopt A Reef >
      • Adopted Reefs
    • Volunteer
    • Reserve A Trip
    • Donate
  • Submit Report
    • Coral Watch
    • Lionfish Hunter
    • Marine Life Census
    • Turtle Watch In-Water
    • Turtle Watch Nesting Beach
    • Turtle Watch Stranded
    • Whale Report
  • Contact
  • Gift Shop
Photo courtesy Mike Heusner

Manatee Deaths

At least 25 of Belize's remaining manatees died in 2017, most as a result of boat strikes. This Google Map shows where dead or injured manatees were observed. It is likely others were killed and drifted at sea or onto isolated shoreline. A summary of the known deaths along the Belize River is also presented. 

While it was hoped that 2018 would have been kinder to the gentle giants there have been 6 deaths in the first month, three times that of 2017.  
Picture
Data from Jan 1- Feb 6, 2018.
Endangered manatees in Belize, especially near the Belize River/Belize City area, are being killed by speeding boats with tourists to view manatees and other river life.  The manatees have been washing up dead for years, and the Manatee Eco Warriors are working together to ensure that a long term solution to save Belize's manatees from EXTINCTION is found.   Every Manatee Counts!​
Picture

Sep 5, 2017
​Barranco, Toledo District

Manatee Protection
File Size: 366 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Imagine seeing a sleeping manatee!

Imagine being run over by a boat, while you're resting!

Belize River Manatee Deaths 2017

#1
Jan 11
​
Bainton Bank

The first dead manatee was observed on Jan 11, 2017 floating belly up in the center of the river just downstream of Bainton Bank.   Within 45 minutes the manatee drifted 1.5 miles downstream to an area just north of Belize River Lodge.

Four large and fully loaded tour boats with visitors witnessed the first dead manatee of 2017.  Did they observe any live ones at the river mouth on their way up river?   How long will these tour boats be able to make money carrying visitors up the river to see manatees?

Every Manatee Counts!  
Picture
1st Dead Manatee Belize River Jan 11, 2017. Photograph courtesy Mike Heusner.

#2
​Feb 7
​Manatee
Lookout 

The second dead manatee was reported by Manatee Lookout on Feb 7, 2017.  This adult manatee had been dead for several days and was decomposing.
Image may contain: outdoor and water
Photo courtesy Virginia Estephan/Manatee Lookout

#3 Feb 28

The third dead manatee of 2017 was observed in the Belize River today.  Last week more than 18 speeding boats carried tourists up and down the river.  It is impossible for speeding boats to avoid manatees even with observers on the bow.  The only solution that will result in no manatee deaths will be to remove the threat - the speeding boats.  
Image may contain: outdoor and water
Photo courtesy Michael Heusner Feb 28, 2017

#4
Feb 28
Belize River
​Mouth

The first juvenile dead manatee was observed near the Belize River Mouth on Feb 28 by Gerald Chavannes Jr.
Image may contain: outdoor
Photo courtesy Gerald Chavannes Jr

#5 - Mar 4 - Belama

Image may contain: outdoor, water and nature
Photo Courtesy Jamal Galvez

#6 - Mar 6 - Bally Gardens

Image may contain: outdoor, nature and water
Photo courtesy Jamal Galvez

# 3 - Mar 6 - Ladyville

On Day 4 of La Ruta Maya the Belikin La Ruta Maya crew posted a picture of a dead manatee observed in Ladyville.  After reviewing pictures taken on March 1, it was discovered that this is the same manatee reported by Mike Heusner on Feb 28, and photographed on Mar 1 by John Searle.  #3 is caught up in bushes just north of Manatee Lookout.  The first two observers reported that a portion of the head had been chewed off. 
Picture

#7 - Bainton Bank

Just a week passed since the last dead manatees were reported from just outside the Belize River Mouth.  It's really time for a change, and standing up for the endangered manatees.
Image may contain: outdoor, water and nature
To avoid counting dead manatees more than once, Mike Heusner has prepared wooden tags to wrap around the tail.
Image may contain: water
LINKS
Status of Antillean Manatees in Belize Powerpoint Presentation by the Belize Forest Department
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Population is less than 2500

Picture
St. George's Caye
PO Box 1234, Belize City, Belize
TEL: + (501) 223-3022
Email:
info@ecomarbelize.org
Picture
  • Welcome
    • About >
      • Site Map
      • COMMUNITIES
      • Partners
      • Blog
    • Links >
      • Classroom Tools
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Research Station
    • Research Trips
    • St George's Caye
    • Marine Research >
      • Conch
      • Dolphins
      • Fish
      • Manatees >
        • Manatees 2017
        • Manatee ID >
          • Delfina
      • Sea Turtles >
        • Gallow's Point >
          • Turtles Gallows Pt
          • Rhody Hope Majil
          • Hope 4 Nature
        • Robinson Point
        • Hope 4 Freya
    • Archaeology Project >
      • SGCAP 2016
      • SGCAP 2015
  • Turtle Watch
    • Sea Turtle Census >
      • Nesting Beach Observations
      • In-Water Observations >
        • Photo ID
        • Turtle Recaptures
      • Stranded Sea Turtles >
        • Stranded Turtles 2010-2012
      • Illegal Take
    • Sea Turtle 101 >
      • Species
      • Life History
      • Anatomy
      • Threats
    • Satellite Telemetry >
      • Tracking NOW
      • Historical Tracks >
        • Historical Lighthouse
    • Outreach Materials >
      • Turtle Watch Newsletters
    • Turtle Network >
      • In-Water Scientific Surveys
      • Sea Turtle Rehab
      • BSTCN Members
  • Coral Watch
    • Coral Bleaching 101 >
      • Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coral
      • Remote Sensing
    • Coral Watch Publications
    • Coral Network >
      • Coral Members
  • Lionfish
    • Lionfish Served Here!
    • History in Belize >
      • GCFI Fisherman Exchange
      • COMPACT Lionfish Project
    • Lionfish Publications
    • Caribbean Strategies >
      • Culling Protocol >
        • Bermuda Lionfish
  • Marine Life
    • Marine Life Reports
    • Submit Marine Life Report
  • Ocean Watch
    • Manatee Deaths >
      • Manatee Facts
    • Climate Change
    • Oil Exploration
    • Ciguatera
    • Haulover Creek
    • Wildlife Interactions
  • Whale Watch
    • Sightings >
      • False Killer Whales
      • Humpback Whale Sightings
      • Killer Whale Sightings
    • Whale Stamps
    • Marine Mammal Workshop >
      • Management Considerations
      • Interaction Guidelines >
        • Vessels & Approaches
        • Swimming With
    • Marine Mammal Rescue
  • Get Involved
    • Adopt A Beach >
      • Adopted Beaches
    • Adopt A Reef >
      • Adopted Reefs
    • Volunteer
    • Reserve A Trip
    • Donate
  • Submit Report
    • Coral Watch
    • Lionfish Hunter
    • Marine Life Census
    • Turtle Watch In-Water
    • Turtle Watch Nesting Beach
    • Turtle Watch Stranded
    • Whale Report
  • Contact
  • Gift Shop
✕