Deep within the stillness of the rainforest, young eyes track the graceful movements of Bacuri, an Amazonian manatee, as it navigates a modest plastic pool. Each time Bacuri rises for air, the silence gives way to delighted murmurs among the children. The gentle rustling of leaves and occasional bird calls further enhance the magical atmosphere.
These children have journeyed from remote riverside communities, often spending hours on boats, to reach the Ferreira Penna Scientific Base of the Emilio Goeldi Museum in Brazil’s Amazon, the nation’s oldest research institution. Although manatees face threats from hunting and illegal meat trade, conservationists are optimistic that by involving and educating local communities, creatures like Bacuri will find protection from these dangers.
The Amazonian manatee, an elusive and rarely spotted mammal, holds the title of the largest in the region. Their elusive nature is due to their exceptionally keen hearing, which enables them to swiftly vanish into murky waters upon detecting noise. Moreover, their numbers have significantly dwindled due to centuries of overhunting for their durable hides, once exported across Europe and Central America.
As part of conservation endeavors, several organizations are actively involved in rescuing orphaned manatee calves, nurturing them back to health, and eventually releasing them into the wild.
Bacuri’s tale began when he was found weighing a mere 22 pounds (10 kilograms)—a shadow of the near 900 pounds (400 kilograms) an adult might reach. Rescued and now residing in the federally protected Caxiuana National Forest, Bacuri owes his name to the community that discovered him. Over two years, with countless milk bottles contributing to his nutrition, Bacuri has grown substantially, now weighing in at around 130 pounds (60 kilos).
Caring for Bacuri is a collaborative effort among three key organizations: the Goeldi Museum, which provides education and facilities; the federal Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, which assigns personnel to feed Bacuri and maintain his environment; and the nonprofit Instituto Bicho d’Agua, which oversees his veterinary care and nutritional needs.
During visits, children learn about the species and its maternal habits—female manatees endure a year-long pregnancy, followed by a two-year nursing period, sustaining their young from mammary glands located near their forelimbs. This slow reproductive rate is a significant factor in the manatees’ struggle to rebound from extensive hunting practices of the past.
Tatyanna Mariúcha, the head biologist at the Ferreira Penna scientific base, stresses the importance of these young visitors, noting that they are vital protectors of the species. The children spend their remaining time creatively, inspired by Bacuri, crafting art and models of their newfound friend.
The research facility, equipped with amenities like dormitories, an auditorium, and laboratories, stands in stark contrast to nearby communities of stilt houses, where families subsist on cassava farming and açaí harvesting. School excursions and local outreach programs aim to bridge this cultural and informational divide, with an emphasis on respecting local customs and insights.
Understanding local ecosystems is essential for Bacuri’s future release. His caregivers plan to choose a debut river site based on community intel about which areas wild manatees frequent. Bacuri aspires to join the plant-based diet his wild counterparts follow before he is set free to help boost the local manatee population—a significant first if successful.
Though subsistence hunting poses minimal risks to survival, some fishermen continue to illegally sell manatee meat in surrounding towns. Since 1967, Brazilian law has prohibited hunting wild animals, with limited exceptions for Indigenous needs or immediate survival.
Facing the escalating issue of climate change also complicates conservation. Miriam Marmontel, a veteran researcher at the Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development, highlights how climate shifts have increased challenges, referencing recent events where extreme temperature conditions led to dolphin fatalities. While manatees were spared in this instance, the receding water levels due to drought increase their vulnerability.
“This makes ongoing reintroduction initiatives critical,” states Marmontel.
Presently, around 60 rescued manatees are receiving care throughout Pará, Bacuri’s home state. Among them, Bicho d’Agua partners with a university and environmental agencies to support four individuals, including Coral, who required emergency interventions after she was discovered with severe dehydration and burns.
Renata Emin, the president of Bicho d’Agua, reflects on the importance of their mission, explaining that every rescue effort represents more than mere numbers; it’s about community and governmental synergy in conservation—a vital stance when each saved manatee signifies future survival potential for the species.