He Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) An operation began this Friday to facilitate the return to the sea of two manatees sighted in the Rio Grande Loiza, after fishermen alerted the authorities about the presence of the animals in an area whose mouth to the Atlantic Ocean is completely obstructed.
The secretary of the DRNA, Waldemar Quiles Pérezexplained that the agency mobilized heavy machinery to open a gap of approximately 10 feet wide in one of the natural outlets of the river towards the sea, with the aim of allowing the manatees to leave the area on their own.
“This morning we received information from the fishermen that there were two manatees here in the Río Grande de Loíza. Obviously, the mouth of the river is completely blocked,” Quiles Pérez told El Nuevo Día during a visit to the place.
According to the official, it has not yet been determined whether they are two juvenile specimens or a female accompanied by her calf. DRNA personnel have managed to document the presence of the animals through videos and continue to use drones to monitor their movements.
Although manatees can survive temporarily within the river, Quiles Pérez pointed out that the environment does not offer enough resources to sustain them in the long term.
“It’s not that they can’t be there, it’s that they can eat some things, but they can’t eat enough to stay healthy,” he explained.
The agency will keep watch over the area over the weekend to see if the mammals make it back to the ocean and to make sure the opening remains clear.
The secretary indicated that there is a history of a similar situation in the same body of water. According to a historical review carried out by the DRNA, in 1995 the rescue of two manatees that had been trapped in the area was carried out, although additional details about that intervention are not immediately available.
While supervising the operation, Quiles Pérez took the opportunity to highlight some of the initiatives promoted by the agency for the protection of manatees in Puerto Rico. He noted that collisions with recreational vessels, particularly jetskis, continue to represent one of the main threats to the species.
The official recalled that last year three manatees died in the Salinas area as a result of impacts with jetskis, as determined by necropsies carried out on the animals. In addition, he indicated that this year there have been two other cases of mortality related to boats.
Given this situation, the DRNA is working on an administrative order to restrict the use and movement of jetskis within the Bay of Salinas. The measure is part of a broader strategy that also includes the implementation of digital tags for boats and water vehicles.
According to Quiles Pérez, the new technology will allow drones to identify vessels, detect their speed and verify compliance with regulatory requirements, thus facilitating surveillance in sensitive areas for marine life.
Despite the challenges facing the species, the secretary assured that the manatee population in Puerto Rico remains in healthy conditions. However, he insisted that reducing the risks associated with recreational boats will continue to be one of the DNER’s conservation priorities.