A little over two months ago, a baby manatee was found by a fisherman in San Pedro de Macoris. Apparently either lost or abandoned by its mother, the little fellow was taken to the National Aquarium where it received all of the possible assistance from the staff there.
Deputy Minister for Coastal and Marine Resources Jose Ramon Reyes noted that the four-month old aquatic mammal is doing well in his new home and eating aquatic vegetation and receiving a special milk. According to veterinarian Nicole Fernandez, the milk contains the vitamins and minerals normally found in manatee milk.
After a lengthy period of evaluation and care, the manatee will eventually be returned to its natural habitat. The deputy minister called upon all circulating in the nation’s coastal waters such as fishermen and vacationers, to be on the lookout for these slow-moving creatures and to report any that seem vulnerable to the authorities.
In a gesture of appreciation, the deputy minister gave fisherman Jean Carlos Villanueva a full set of diving gear for his efforts in the rescue of the baby manatee. The name Jean Pedro comes from his rescuer Jean Carlos and the city where he was found, San Pedro de Macoris, as reported in Acento.
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Presidency
Acento
14 August 2023