Manuel Rescued

On Saturday morning TIDE received a call from Kenworth Garbutt describing a stranded Manatee within the waters of Payne’s Creek National Park. Kenworth, who was fly-fishing at the time, noticed the animal would dive only to return to the surface a few seconds later… repeatedly.

Our PHMR patrol boat easily spotted the gentle giant floating on the surface. After a quick assessment the Rangers  hauled the sick animal onto the vessel. This was a tricky endeavor that took three Rangers with some car straps, rope and some hard work.

“We stopped every few minutes to put water over him and kept him as cool as we could have, we also had a sponge that we kept over him with water.
We are here to help and protect all flora and fauna of the reserve we always try our best, to be the best rising TIDE team. 
It would not have been possible if we didn’t get the information from Mr. Garbutt!” – Mark Jacob – TIDE Ranger

A TIDE land transport team assembled at Garbutt’s Marine & Fishing Lodge as the patrol boat made it’s way back to PG…

Once back at Garbutt’s Marine the land team sprung into action…keeping the animal wet and cool was the top priority after it was loaded onto  a truck…to aid this staff had brought in old t-shirts and towels, as well as some tarpaulin.

Manuel the Manatee was secured and watered then the team headed North to Dangriga Town.

Outside Dangriga the team met with Jamal Galves where Manuel was transferred again.

Jamal drove Manuel further North to La Democracia, where he helped transfer the manatee to the Wildtracks vehicle, which then completed the drive to the Manatee Rehabilitation Centre at Wildtracks, in Sarteneja, arriving late at night (after 11:00 pm)

It was a long day for everyone, but Manuel made it safely from his worrying predicament in the morning to swimming  in a pool at Wildtracks.

Sunday Update:
The team at Wildtracks are doing all they can to help him, but he is very sick and it is still “touch and go”.