The Ministry of Environment said that an investigation is ongoing as to who are the people that are seen in a video mistreating the manatee Juanita while she was on the banks of the Ozama River. The manatee lived for long months at the Santo Domingo Aquarium that is located close to the Ozama River. She was set free with two other manatees in Bayahibe, to the east, but made her way back to what was home for her for so long. Now Juanita has made her home in the Ozama River.
Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera says that no abuse against natural resources and different species of animals will go unpunished under his administration. He motivated everyone to take care of the endangered marine mammals.
The Ministry of Environment says the manatee was rescued and is temporarily being kept in the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewage Corporation (CAASD) dam. Juanita is uninjured and still has her tracker.
A press release reports that the Ministry’s staff is working hard together with the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (Fundemar) to ensure that Juanita, Pepe, Lupita and all the manatees in Dominican waters are kept in optimal conditions while they enjoy their life free in the country’s waters.
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Environment
El Caribe
Listin Diario
El Caribe
17 January 2022