Photo courtesy Mike Heusner
Manatee Deaths
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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. |
Data from Jan 1- Feb 6, 2018.
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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!
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Sep 5, 2017
Barranco, Toledo District
| Manatee Protection |
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Imagine seeing a sleeping manatee!
Imagine being run over by a boat, while you're resting! |
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Belize River Manatee Deaths 2017
#1
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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! 
1st Dead Manatee Belize River Jan 11, 2017. Photograph courtesy Mike Heusner.
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#2
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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.
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Photo courtesy Virginia Estephan/Manatee Lookout
#3 Feb 28
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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.
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Photo courtesy Michael Heusner Feb 28, 2017
#4
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The first juvenile dead manatee was observed near the Belize River Mouth on Feb 28 by Gerald Chavannes Jr.
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Photo courtesy Gerald Chavannes Jr
#5 - Mar 4 - Belama
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Photo Courtesy Jamal Galvez
#6 - Mar 6 - Bally Gardens
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Photo courtesy Jamal Galvez
# 3 - Mar 6 - Ladyville
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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.
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#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.
To avoid counting dead manatees more than once, Mike Heusner has prepared wooden tags to wrap around the tail.
LINKS
Status of Antillean Manatees in Belize Powerpoint Presentation by the Belize Forest Department
Status of Antillean Manatees in Belize Powerpoint Presentation by the Belize Forest Department
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Population is less than 2500
