Over the last three weeks, 2 injured manatee calves have been rescued from the waters of Belize.
Wildtracks hosts Belize's Manatee Rehabilitation Centre, providing care for orphaned and injured West Indian Manatees as part of the national initiative to ensure that this endangered species continues to live in Belize's waters.
The two recently arrived orphaned calves bring the total number of manatees in care at the Manatee Rehabilitation Centre to five....a record number reflecting the increasing threats to the population.
We URGENTLY need to upgrade the infrastructure to cope with the increasing numbers.
With only three pools, and one lagoon enclosure (for larger juveniles), we urgently need to upgrade our infrastructure to cope with the additional calves - and there is no guarantee that we won't get yet another calf tomorrow!
It costs US$60 a day to provide milk for the five manatee orphans in care!
These slow, gentle animals, once mistaken for mermaids, can get through an alarming amount of milk before they are weaned - US$60 a day - US$420 a week - a total of US$1,680 a month for the five manatees in care at the moment. With the addition of two calves and the associated costs, we have a funding gap for the coming four weeks, and urgently need to find the US$1,680 to see us through.
How can you help?
We urgently need funds for...
1. Construction of an Additional Pool: Total US$3,200
Overall pool size 19'6" long x 9'6" wide x 3'6"
Cost of materials (including plumbing) US$2,200
Cost of labour - US$1,000
2. Replacement pump and pipework for filling pools: US$1,120
3. One month of milk: US$1,680
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