Amazon River Manatees Released Back Into the Wild on Earth Day 2014

On April 22, 2014 as part of global celebrations commemorating Earth Day, four manatees (Trichechus inunguis) were successfully released into the Amazon River at Cocha Moena, located at the basin of Yanuayacu Creek in the buffer zone of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Community Conservation Area.

Photo courtesy of Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental

This noble initiative, rescuing and rehabilitating such magnificent aquatic mammals, was carried out by the Amazon Rescue Center (CREA) with support from the Research Institute of the Peruvian Amazon (IIAP), the Regional Government of Loreto, the Association for the Conservation of Amazonian Biodiversity (ACOBIA) The Dallas World Aquarium Zoo (DWAzoo) and Aqua Expeditions.

These rare manatees were recovered by CREA, which provided the necessary care for and rehabilitation of the fragile creatures with the goal of re-releasing them back into their natural habitat, the Amazon River. “Liberty” a two-and-a-half year old male and females “Yanayacu” named after the waterway where she was rescued nearly six years ago, “Yuri” and “Sol” were successfully released back into their natural habitat only when they were deemed capable to continue their natural life cycle.