For a manatee rescued, returning to the sea requires a recovery process that depends on specialized care, feeding and veterinary attention. For more than 15 years, the Alma de Bahía Foundation has accompanied the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center in this work. And, as part of that collaboration, the Foundation made a new donation to strengthen the rescue, care and rehabilitation carried out by the Center, and invited organizations and people to contribute to the continuity of its work.
“Getting to know the Center’s work up close makes it clear to us that this work cannot stop. Therefore, we call on all organizations and people to contribute to the Center so that it can continue with its important work. Each contribution contributes to the care and rehabilitation of the rescued manatees, giving them a chance to return to the sea.. From Alma de Bahía, we reaffirm the commitment that we have maintained for more than 15 years and we invite everyone to join,” he expressed. Rolando Paduapresident of the Foundation and co-president of Paulson Puerto Ricovia statement.
The new donation will support the continuity of the rehabilitation process of Taiku and Dákititwo manatees under the Center’s care, and will help address their health and development needs leading up to their release, projected for January 2027. Resources will go toward specialized food and supplements, medications and medical supplies, maintenance of tanks and water filtration systems, as well as rescue and monitoring equipment necessary during their recovery and release.
Behind this process, there is a team that attends to your needs daily and accompanies each stage of your recovery. For orphaned or injured manatees, such care represents an opportunity to regain their health and develop the conditions necessary to return to their natural habitat.
The Caribbean manatee faces the risk of extinction and multiple threats to its survival, including collisions with boats, the loss and degradation of its habitat, the decline of seagrasses and pollution. Its protection requires specialized attention for rescued specimens, as well as continuous research, monitoring, education and conservation efforts..
Throughout this alliance, both organizations have collaborated in different ways. In addition to financial support, volunteers from Alma de Bahía have participated directly in the care of manatees and other species, as well as in monitoring released individuals and supporting rescues in the northern area of Puerto Rico. The Center, in turn, has become a key ally of the Foundation in wildlife monitoring, evaluation, care and rehabilitation initiatives.
“Protecting our biodiversity requires perseverance and, above all, collaboration. The relationship with the Center has allowed us to contribute directly, learn from their extraordinary team and support specialized work with a concrete impact on the conservation of our species. The results of the Center for more than 15 years, as well as the rehabilitation of Taikú and Dákiti, are concrete examples of what can be achieved when different organizations work with a common purpose”expressed, for his part, Marcela Canonexecutive director of the Foundation.
The Center performs rescue and stranding response work, rehabilitation, veterinary care, research and education. Their work is particularly important in caring for manatees that are orphaned, injured, or in conditions that require intervention and rehabilitation before they can return to the wild.
“Having allies like the Foundation strengthens our ability to provide each manatee with the specialized care they need during their rehabilitation. Sustained collaboration like this is essential to continue protecting the Caribbean manatee and contribute to its conservation in our region.. Support for the rehabilitation program, especially for Taikú and Dákiti, provides essential resources during this stage and brings us closer to the goal that we all share: seeing them return healthy to their natural habitat,” noted the doctor. Antonio Mignuccidirector of the Center.