“Keep doing yours”: Moses, Manatí, prosper in nature 33 years after his rescue

33 years, 4 months and 19 days: that is the time that has elapsed since Moseshe manateewas rescued in 1991 when several fishermen found a small breeding swimming in the waters of a pipe under the bridge of Los Dominicos Avenue, in Levittown.

The mammal soon became an icon, in the 90s. After all, it was the first manatee rescued on the island.

But what the doctor Antonio Mignuccidirector of Manati conservation center And his caregiver principle was not expected is that 33 years later his “boy” was still alive and “making his own.”

“Moses, my first manatee patient in Puerto Rico, is still alive and thriving in nature in nature. Who would have guessed it?”he wrote in a publication on his social networks by sharing the most recent sighting of Moses.

The manatee was captured, this Monday, by the vigilant Jomayra Sánchez of the body of vigilantes of the Natural and Environmental Resources Department (DRNA). The mammal, so dear to the town, swam in an area between Ceiba and Naguabo, a region that has become their home.

“Everything looked in order. We are very happy that, after 33 years and all that time, he is still alive and making his own there ”he said in an interview with The new day The also marine science professor at the Inter -American University of Bayamón.

According to Mignucci, Moses is a geriatric manatee, because this species has a life expectancy between about 15 to 25 years.

“The fact that Moses has survived all that time and continues to put the record high of how much a Puerto Rico manatee can live is very important because That means that, the more he is out there living, the more possibilities that he contributes to the genetics of his population ”explained Mignucci, who was present in the life of Moses from his rescue to his release.

In the most recent publication of the also Oceanographer and Veterinary Technician, Citizens expressed their emotion to the sighting of Moses. However, some echoed the big question: Does Moses have babies? Is it known if it’s dad?

Mignucci explained that, contrary to what happens with some animals and species in nature, there is no such thing as the “Family of Manaties.”

“One knows if a female manatee had a baby or not because he sees her with the breeding. However, the males impregnate them and leave. They look for their girlfriend and, once they end up falling in love, they leave and continue their life. They do not stay with the babies,” he added.

“Manatis’ family does not really exist as such. It is always the mother with her baby and her baby from the previous year”he said.

The director of the center shared that, in recent days, they worked a rescue in Salinas when they saw Tuqueanother of the manatees rehabilitated and released by the entity.

“I was falling in love with the manatee we were trying to rescue. He very mischievous.”he said as he laughed when he remembered the anecdote.

Although Moses has not been seen in the act of reproduction, Mignucci does not rule out that there are little “Moses” exploring the waters, due to the extensive time that the manatee has in its habitat.

“What fills us most with rejoicing is that he is there contributing to the population to get it out of the danger of extinction. That is, it was not only the song of Moses made by Tony Croatto that changed the life of the manatees in Puerto Rico, but that he is also doing what is necessary to be able to get them out of the danger of extinction ”he reflected.

Beyond highlighting the importance of manatees for Puerto Rico ecosystems, Mignucci called on citizens.

“We need to have empathy with nature and manatees, These being an example of the rest of the animals. Respect your space. Respect their habitat so that they can do the work they have to do, which is to get them out of the danger of extinction themselves, ”he concluded.