Manatee found dead in Cabo Rojo from apparent boat strike

By The Star Staff

A female manatee measuring some 10.5 feet long and weighing 1,000 pounds was found dead by Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) personnel in the area of Los Pozos, Cabo Rojo, DNER Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez said Thursday.

“From the initial finding, an external mark could be observed as a result of a strong impact,” Quiles Pérez noted in a written statement. “The necropsy revealed that the animal suffered the complete rupture of ribs number seven and eight, and a fracture in rib number nine. One of these injuries perforated the intestine and caused internal bleeding that caused her death. The stomach was full, and she did not show signs of disease or pre-existing conditions.”

“The cause of death was classified as anthropogenic, that is, attributable to human activity,” the DNER chief added. “The protection of this endangered species is everyone’s responsibility.”

Biologist Grisel Rodríguez Ferrer, from the Natural Resources Marine Mammal Rescue Program, offered the following recommendations to prevent similar incidents:

* Use polarized glasses to identify species in the water

* Reduce boat speeds to 5 miles per hour in estuarine areas

* Do not dispose of garbage or fishing lines in the sea

* Respect state and federal navigation regulations.

“The coasts of Cabo Rojo, Salinas, Ceiba, Mayagüez and from Naguabo to Fajardo are key habitats for manatees,” Rodríguez Ferrer said. “Prevention is essential to protect them.”

In the event of any situation that endangers the life of marine species, citizens can contact the DNER Ranger Corps at 787-999-2200 ext 2910 or 2911. They can also use the Dolphin & Whale 911 app available for iOS and Android systems.