Fortaleza/Icapui, Brazil - The Alliance for Manatees, a flagship project of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia, is currently organizing an important workshop in Brazil to strengthen the conservation of the endangered Caribbean manatee(Trichechus manatus). The workshop, coordinated by Dr. Carol Meirelles, Research Associate at UBC, and Prof. Andrew Trites, Director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit, will take place in Fortaleza from October 14-18 and will bring together leading researchers from across Latin America.
Working together for species conservation
The workshop will be attended by 23 researchers from 18 institutions in Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Suriname, French Guiana and Colombia. The experts are working on refining habitat models and creating a priority list for the protection of manatees threatened by habitat destruction and climate change. The meeting marks a pivotal moment for conservation efforts in the region, with a particular focus on identifying critical habitats and the most effective strategies to protect them.
The week-long event is also an opportunity for the researchers, who collaborated virtually last year, to validate their findings and agree on conservation priorities. The logistics of the event are supported by Aquasis, a local NGO dedicated to species conservation.
Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen, Curator for Research and Species Conservation at Nuremberg Zoo and Chairman of YAQU PACHA e.V., took part in this important meeting. He presented the IUCN One Plan Approach and the Manati-EEP (EAZA ExSitu Program) of EAZA to the participants.
During the workshop, Dr. von Fersen emphasized:
"Species conservation, as in the case of manatees, requires a holistic approach. It is important to strengthen in-situ initiatives. At the same time, it is important to involve zoos in this process, as they can fulfill very important ex-situ tasks. These include raising awareness among visitors, carrying out research projects that are only possible under controlled conditions and, last but not least, funding in-situ projects. It is precisely this holistic approach that the EAZA Manati EEP pursues and, as coordinator of this EEP, I put forward convincing arguments for the member zoos of the EEP to become more involved and active. Species conservation can only be successful if everyone involved is part of the process.
About the Alliance for Manatees
The Alliance for Manatees, coordinated by Dr. Carol Meirelles, is part of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at UBC under the direction of Prof. Andrew Trites. The project brings together leading institutions from across Latin America to protect Caribbean manatees and their habitats. It is supported by major donors such as the Nuremberg Zoo, the Pairi Daiza Foundation, YAQU PACHA e.V. and IUCN Species Survival.
Location of the workshop: The workshop will take place in Icapuí, Ceará, a coastal town that provides an inspiring environment for participants to work together on important initiatives to protect the Caribbean Manatee - Manati.
