The first manatee calf brought ashore in Paraíba was born

Good news for the environment. The first marine manatee calf has been born off the coast of Paraíba, following an attempt to reintroduce the species to Brazilian waters.

The female, named Mel, was seen by environmental technicians with the calf and appears to be doing well with her calf. “We are all very happy with this birth,” said João Carlos Gómez Borges, the program’s research director.

Mel was born with support Viva o Peixe-boi-Marinho program and records the first calf of this female species released into the wild. Which indicates the success of the project?

Has been saved

The story of Mother Manatee Mel is a story of struggle. Rescued in 2004 while still a calf, the animal was transferred to the Aquatic Mammal Center/ICMBio, Itamaraca Island (PE) for care.

For five years, Mel was in rehabilitation until he was transferred to the Barra do Rio Mamanguape (PB) rehabilitation facility. Only in 2019, the manatee was taken to the coast of Cabedelo, the region where it lives to this day.

Now the efforts of a team of environmental technicians are focused on monitoring Mel and the cub, as the species is more vulnerable in the first weeks of life.

human danger

Specialists of the Viva o Peixe-Boi-Marinho project warn that the danger is greater for the mother and the calf during this summer season and at the end of the holidays. A large number of tourists entering the coastal waters may harm the animal.

Paraiba is still one of the few places in Brazil where it is possible to create a healthy environment for the reintroduction of coastal species. In this way, both native manatees and those introduced by biologists gain sight.

Therefore, it is important to preserve the environment of these animals. “The best thing to do is to keep your distance, to respect the animals’ use space,” says João Gómez.

The lesson remains to admire the beautiful animals from afar, okay?

Read more good news.

Required design

The Viva o Peixe-Boi-Marinho project is a tool for the preservation and conservation of species on the northeast coast of the country.

To avoid the extinction of the manatee, technicians act in such a way as to create a suitable environment for the reproduction of the species.

As one of the “tributaries” of the Petrobras socio-environmental program, the project operates in the fields of research, satellite monitoring technology, governance, environmental education, community development, eco-pedagogical tourism promotion and public policy.

According to Petrobras.