Hope Swims Strong as Young Manatee Bacuri Battles for Survival in the Amazon

In Caxiuanã National Forest, Brazil (AP), amidst profound quietness, almost like being enchanted, kids gaze closely at Bacuri, an Amazonian manatee youngster, as he maneuvers through a modest plastic tub. Upon surfacing for breath, several children respond with broad grins. The gentle whispering of rainforest foliage interspersed with birdsong enhances the enchantment of this scene.

Children from riverside areas journeyed for hours via boat solely to encounter Bacuri at the Emilio Goeldi Museum’s field station, which is home to Brazil’s most ancient research institution in the Amazon. Even though manatees are classified as an endangered species, they continue to be pursued, with their meat being illicitly traded, and they face growing threats due to these activities. climate change. Environmentalists are hopeful that through involvement with local communities, both Bacuri and similar cases will be protected.

The Amazonian manatee is the biggest mammal in its area, yet it is seldom spotted, let alone observed closely. This phenomenon can be attributed to two main factors: the species possesses sharp hearing and quickly retreats underwater upon detecting even faint noises; additionally, their numbers have significantly decreased due to extensive hunting spanning centuries, primarily because of demand for their durable skins which were shipped to Europe and Central America.

Various organizations are aiding the recovery of the manatee population by rescuing abandoned young manatees, nursing them back to health, and then releasing them into their natural habitat again.

Bacuri's story

When Bacuri was rescued, he only tipped the scales at 22 pounds (10 kilograms), which is significantly less compared to the over 900 pounds (400 kilograms) of an average adult manatee. The young creature was brought to the research facility located within the federally safeguarded Caxiuana National Forest after being discovered by a nearby community, which then gave him his name. After two years and numerous milk bottles, Bacuri’s weight increased substantially to around 130 pounds (60 kilograms).

Three institutions are responsible for his care. The Goeldi Museum provides facilities and educates nearby communities. The federal Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation assigns two staffers for 15-day shifts to feed Bacuri three bottles of milk a day as well as chopped beets and carrots, and clean the pool every 48 hours. The nonprofit Instituto Bicho d'Agua— meaning institute of water animals in Portuguese — oversees veterinary care, dietary planning and caregiver training.

While visiting, the children discover that female manatees carry their calves for approximately a year before giving birth and subsequently nurture their young for another two years by using mammary glands located near their front flippers — essentially under their "armpits." The extended nature of this breeding process contributes significantly to why manatee numbers have failed to rebound since they were heavily hunted up until the middle of the 20th century.

They discover as well that the species is endangered and realize it’s their responsibility to safeguard it.

"You are the primary caretakers," scientist Tatyanna Mariúcha, who leads the research station, explains to the children. They then spend the remainder of their day illustrating pictures and crafting Bacuri replicas using Play-Doh.

Local knowledge is key

The research facility, which includes an auditorium, dorms, observation towers, a dining hall, and labs, lies about two hours away from Portel, the closest urban center, via high-speed boat. This station dramatically contrasts with surrounding areas consisting mainly of stilted wooden homes where residents depend on activities like cassava cultivation, fishing, and picking açaí berries for their livelihood. Efforts such as school excursions and public engagement initiatives strive to bridge this disparity.

Caxiuana belongs to them," Mariúcha said to The Associated Press. "We cannot simply arrive here and act without their permission.

When Bacuri is eventually let go into the wild, local expertise will be crucial. As the sole young manatee being looked after at Caxiuana, once he switches completely to an herbivorous diet, he'll move to a river enclosure for some acclimation. The location chosen for this release will depend on information from locals about areas frequented by wild manatees as their feeding grounds and pathways.

Should everything proceed according to plan, Bacuri will be the first release in the Caxiuana region. Unfortunately, two additional calves that were saved but were not in good health passed away while in captivity, which unfortunately is quite a frequent result.

While subsistence hunting isn’t a major threat to the species, some fishermen still sell manatee meat illegally in nearby towns. Brazil banned hunting of all wild animals in 1967, with two exceptions: Indigenous peoples can be hunted, whereas some individuals may eliminate a wild creature to fulfill the hunger of the hunter or their family.

The effect of global warming

Miriam Marmontel, a senior researcher at the Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development located hundreds of miles (kilometers) upriver from the Amazon River, stated that managing threats posed by hunters has grown more challenging because of climate change.

In 2023, dozens of dolphins perished near Mamiraua, presumably because of this. soaring water temperatures During an unprecedented drought, manatees escaped widespread death because they usually stay in deep pools throughout the dry period, but recent droughts have significantly lowered the water level, rendering manatees more susceptible to poaching.

As climate change progresses, manatees might start experiencing heat stress as well," Marmontel stated. "These creatures have a temperature threshold, and it could soon be exceeded.

This is precisely why reintroduction initiatives hold such significance.

Approximately 60 rescued manatees are receiving care throughout the state of Pará, which includes Caxiuana. The organization Bicho d'Água is looking after four of these animals in collaboration with the Federal University of Pará and Brazil’s environmental agency. Among those four, one named Coral was discovered close to Óbidos and transported 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) via air to the institute's facilities in Castanhal. Upon arrival, she exhibited signs of dehydration as well as significant skin damage, presumably due to prolonged sun exposure.

The population has decreased significantly, making each hunted animal an important loss for the species," said Renata Emin, president of Bicho d'Água, to AP. "This is why all efforts count—not only because a single individual might be returned to the wild and aid in rebuilding the population, but also due to the inspiration it provides within both communities and governments.

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