Status of the manatee (Trichechus manatus) along the northern and western coasts of the Yucatán Peninsula, México

The status of manatees along the northern and western coasts of the Yucata´n Peninsula is poorly known. The objective of this study was to gather information about the distribution and abundance of manatees in this region. We interviewed local fishermen and authorities along the northern coast of the Peninsula in December 1999 and made three aerial surveys over the northern and western coasts of the Peninsula in March, August, and October 2000. Interviews suggest that manatee abundance was much higher in the past and that possible causes for population decline included hunting for local consumption and increased fishing, which entangled and frightened manatees. None of those interviewed had seen manatees in the last five years and we saw only one adult manatee. Manatee abundance along the northern and western coasts of the Yucata´n Peninsula is very low despite the presence of adequate habitat along the northern coast of Quintana Roo, from El Cuyo to Yalahau Lagoon; along the northern coast of Yucata´n, from Dzilam de Bravo to Rı´o Lagartos; along the western coast of the Peninsula, from Celestu´n to Champoto´ n; and in the Te´rminos Lagoon. The recovery of the manatee population will require a multidisciplinary and long-term regional conservation plan that must consider various social and economic aspects.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Morales Vela, José Benjamín Doctor autor/a 2028, Padilla Saldívar, Janneth A. 1971- Maestra autor/a 7214, Mignucci Giannoni, Antonio A. autor/a
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Trichechus manatus, Manatíes, Zoogeografía, Artfrosur,
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