Guardians of the Amazon: The Fight to Save the Endangered Manatee

The Amazonian manatee, threatened by hunting and climate change, is receiving crucial support from institutions and local communities. The Emilio Goeldi Museum in Brazil engages young locals to protect the species, while organizations rescue, rehabilitate, and release manatees like Bacuri, who weighs 60 kilograms today.

Deep in the heart of the Amazon, young locals gaze in awe at Bacuri, a young Amazonian manatee, as he gently swims in a plastic pool at Brazil's Emilio Goeldi Museum. Their fascination with Bacuri is part of a larger effort by environmentalists to engage communities in preserving the endangered species.

Despite legal protections, Amazonian manatees still face threats from illegal hunting and climate change. The region's largest mammal is seldom seen due to its acute hearing and dwindling numbers. Institutions are striving to reverse this trend by rescuing orphaned manatee calves, nurturing them, and ultimately releasing them back into the wild.

Bacuri, rescued as a lightweight calf, now flourishes thanks to a collaborative effort among multiple entities. This initiative demonstrates the importance of community involvement and environmental education as essential components in the battle against extinction and climate change.

(With inputs from agencies.)